Staff
Clinical Research Assistant, HITSS
Shania Baldwin graduated from Wellesley College in 2021 with a B.A. in Neuroscience with a concentration in Cognitive Neuroscience as well as a B.A. in Africana Studies. While at Wellesley, she studied the role of the immune system and neurotransmitters on adult neurogenesis. As an avid sports lover and collegiate athlete interested in studying brain trauma, she joined the Stern Lab in August of 2021 as the Research Assistant of the Head Impact and Trauma Surveillance Study (HITSS).
Study Coordinator, DIAGNOSE CTE Research Project
Tess graduated from the University of Connecticut in 2018 with degrees in Psychology and Human Development & Family Science. Since graduating, she has worked on several diverse clinical research projects focused on treating and diagnosing chronic disease in children, and examining long term risk and resilience for psychopathology across development. She joined the ADRC in June of 2021 as a Study Coordinator for the DIAGNOSE CTE Research Project.
Clinical Research Assistant, DIAGNOSE CTE Research Project
Minna Holleck graduated from Georgetown University in 2022 with a B.S. in Biology of Global Health and minors in Science, Technology, & International Affairs and Business Administration. She also played squash for Georgetown and played cello in the GU orchestra. As an undergrad, she worked on research projects including a clinical study analyzing Covid-19 vaccine immune responses and Chronic Kidney Disease research. Minna joined the DIAGNOSE CTE Research Project in December of 2022 as a Clinical Research Assistant and is excited to get to work!
Research Assistant, Alzheimer’s Disease Clinical Trials Program
Ina graduated from Boston College in 2022 with a B.S. in Biology and a concentration in Physiology. Throughout her undergraduate career, Ina has worked for a diverse variety of labs including research in molecular Chemistry, HIV pathology, and yeast cell Biology. She pursued her interests in Neurology as a clinical researcher for Multiple Sclerosis at two locations in the Boston area. Ina joined the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center in July of 2022 as a Clinical Trials Research Assistant.
Research Director, Alzheimer’s Disease Clinical Trials Program
Jane Mwicigi completed her undergraduate training at the University of Nairobi Medical School where she graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Medicine and Surgery. She completed a Master’s degree in Public Health at the Boston University School of Public Health, majoring in Epidemiology and Biostatistics. She joined the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center at Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine in September 2002. She is the Director of Clinical Research, managing all sponsored clinical trials at the Center.
Study Coordinator, Alzheimer’s Disease Clinical Trials Program
Alexa graduated from Union College in Schenectady, NY with a B.S. in Neuroscience. Following graduation, she coordinated multiple clinical trials which investigated the physiology of post-bariatric hypoglycemia. Having developed a strong interest in neuropsychology during her undergraduate studies, she implemented a study which looked into the cognitive implications of this condition. Alexa obtained her M.S. in Human Physiology with a focus in Neuroscience at Boston University and joined the ADRC in June 2022 as a Study Coordinator.
Recruitment & Retention Coordinator, HITSS
Matt graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst with a B.S. in Sports Management. He joined the Stern Lab in May 2021 as Recruitment & Retention Coordinator for the Head Impact and Trauma Surveillance Study (HITSS) following a career in the front offices of three Major League Baseball organizations. During his time in MLB, Matt worked in communications roles for the Miami Marlins, Seattle Mariners and Boston Red Sox, most recently serving as Senior Director of Communications for the Marlins. In addition, he is a certified Physical Education teacher and is an advocate for youth sports.
Clinical Research Assistant, Alzheimer’s Disease Clinical Trials Program
Olivia graduated from Colorado College in 2021 with a B.A. in Psychology with a focus on Neuropsychology. As an undergraduate, Olivia contributed to multiple research projects while volunteering for the Alzheimer’s Association. Since graduating, she has worked as an ABA Therapist with children with autism spectrum disorder and joined the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (ADRC) at Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine in May of 2022 as a Clinical Trials Research Assistant.
Trainees
Postdoctoral Associate, DIAGNOSE CTE Research Project and HITSS
Tahlia Bragg (she/ella) is a Postdoctoral Associate at Stern Lab working in the DIAGNOSE CTE and HITSS studies at the BU CTE Center. She completed her doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Fielding Graduate University, based in Santa Barbara, CA, in 2022. Most recently, she was a Psychology Intern at The Center for Multicultural Training in Psychology (CMTP) at Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine & Boston Medical Center where her clinical foci were providing behavioral and psychotherapeutic interventions in systems-based care for children and families. She has an extensive clinical and research background in Clinical Neuropsychology, with emphases on racial disparities in neuropsychology that impact Black-identified communities. As a founding member and inaugural president of the Black Student Association at Fielding Graduate University, she guided the organization into more inclusive programming and education within the university. With nearly 20 years of research experience, she has contributed to numerous research projects in academia and the private sector. In addition to her research responsibilities, Dr. Bragg is also providing clinical care in the Memory & Aging Disorder Clinic at Boston Medical Center.
Graduate Assistant, DIAGNOSE CTE Research Project and HITSS
Diana is a Fulbright Scholar from the 2021 cohort, a Ph.D. student in the Graduate Program in Neuroscience at Boston University. She graduated with honors with a BSc in Psychology and a MSc in Neuroscience from the Universidad Nacional de Colombia in Bogotá. After graduation, she worked as a neuropsychologist and study coordinator studying the disruption of brain connectivity in patients with impaired consciousness after acute brain injury at ICU. Before joining the Graduate Program in Neuroscience, she was a trainee at the Physiology of Cognition Lab at the University of Liège where she developed a passion for French, Belgian beer, and functional connectivity disruption of large-scale human brain networks. Diana joined the Stern Lab in January of 2022, as a rotation student for the DIAGNOSE CTE Research Project.
Research Fellow, DIAGNOSE CTE Research Project
Suzan graduated from Utrecht University (The Netherlands), where she obtained her degree in medicine in 2018. After two years of work as a physician at different neurology departments, she started her PhD trajectory at the Alzheimer Center Amsterdam in 2020. Here, she established the first cohort in the Netherlands with patients at risk for CTE: the NEwTON cohort. She has been responsible for the whole preparation and setup of this study, including the setup of an autopsy brain donor program in collaboration with the Netherlands Brain Bank. Suzan joined the Stern Lab in September 2022 and works as a Research Fellow for the DIAGNOSE CTE Research Project.
Student Interns
Student Intern
Lilly Reeves is a neuroscience major at the University of Maryland, College Park, class of 2025. For Summer 2023, she worked as a volunteer intern and assisted in the early steps of a new college football mortality study.
BU Collaborators
Assistant Professor of Neurology
Dr. Alosco completed his undergraduate studies at Providence College and he earned his doctoral degree in clinical psychology, with a focus in neuropsychology, in 2015 from Kent State University. He completed his clinical internship in neuropsychology at the VA Boston Healthcare System. In 2015, Dr. Alosco was awarded a post-doctoral fellowship at the Boston University (BU) Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) Center (ADC) and BU CTE Center through the NIA-funded Alzheimer’s Disease Translational Research Training Program (T32AG036697). In 2016, Dr. Alosco transitioned to a National Research Service Award (NRSA) F32 from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke to continue his advanced clinical research training at the BU ADC and BU CTE Center. In 2018, he became an Assistant Professor of Neurology at the Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine.
Professor, Department of Neurology
Dr. Rhoda Au completed her undergraduate degree at Pomona College in California . She earned her PhD from the University of California, Riverside, as well as an MBA from Boston University in 1995. She joined the Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine’s Department of Neurology in 1986 as a Research Instructor, and she is currently a Professor in the Department of Neurology. Dr. Au’s research interests are focused on aging and dementia, and include relating cardiovascular risk factors, brain MRI measures, and neuropathology to cognitive performance. She is also interested in merging research and technology as the path toward innovative science.
Dr. Andrew E. Budson is a Professor of Neurology at BU Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Associate Director for Research at the BU Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Lecturer in Neurology at Harvard Medical School, and Consultant Neurologist at the Division of Cognitive and Behavioral Neurology, Department of Neurology, at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Dr. Budson has had continual NIH funding since 1998, and continues to see patients while teaching at his memory disorders clinic at VA Boston. He is board certified in Neurology.
Learn more HERE
Contact Andrew at: abudson@bu.edu
Clinical Professor of Neurosurgery at BUSM. Chairman Department of Surgery, Chief Neurosurgery Service, Director Service Sports Medicine at Emerson Hospital
Robert C. Cantu Dr, Cantu is the Medical Director and Director of Clinical Research for the Dr. Robert C. Cantu Concussion Center, Chief of Neurosurgery Service, Associate Chairman Department of Surgery, and Director of Sports Medicine at Emerson Hospital in Concord, Massachusetts. He is a founder of the Center for the study of Traumatic Encephalopathy at Boston University Medical School where he is also a Clinical Professor of Neurology and Neurosurgery. He currently serves as Senior Advisor to the NFL Head, Neck and Spine Committee; Section Co-Chair Mackey-White National Football League Players Association Health and Safety Committee; -Founder and Medical Director Sports Legacy Institute; Member World Rugby Concussion Advisory Group; Adjunct Professor Exercise and Sport Science and Medical Director National Center for Catastrophic Sports Injury Research, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC; Co-Director, Neurologic Sports Injury Center, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Senior Advisor Brain Injury Center and Adjunct Staff, Children’s Hospital, Boston, Vice President Chair Scientific Advisory Committee National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE). He also consults with numerous NFL, NHL and NBA teams. He also is a professional consultant to the USA Rugby Medical & Risk Committee sub-committee for Sports Concussion. He has published over 400 scientific articles including 33 books on Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Sports Medicine.
Learn more HERE
Professor of Medicine, Neurology, Ophthalmology, Genetics & Genomics, Epidemiology, & Biostatistics. Chief, Genetics Program
Dr. Farrer is a graduate of the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, received his Ph.D. from the Indiana University School of Medicine, and gained additional training in genetic epidemiology at Yale University. He holds adjunct faculty positions at Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, and the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Bedford, Massachusetts. He is a Founding Fellow of the American College of Medical Genetics. Dr. Farrer teaches several courses in human genetics and genetic epidemiology at Boston University, directs Boston University’s Molecular Genetics Core Facility which offers DNA genotyping and sequencing services to investigators at the Boston Medical Center, and provides genetic counseling and testing to patients with a variety of inherited conditions.
Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Neurology, Ophthalmology, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, & Biomedical Engineering
Dr. Lee Goldstein received a bachelor’s degree in humanities and biology from Columbia University and went on to complete his medical and doctoral training at Yale University. Dr. Goldstein completed an internal medicine internship and residency program in psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. He was previously an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, as well as the Director of the Molecular Aging & Development Laboratory and Center for Biometals & Metallomics at the Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Boston. Dr. Goldstein joined the Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, College of Engineering, Photonics Center, and the BU ADC in December 2007.
Contact Lee at: Lgold@bu.edu
Bio Coming Soon...
Learn more HERE
Associate Professor, Anatomy & Neurobiology
Dr. Killiany received his master’s degree in psychology from the University of Hartford and completed doctoral training in psychology at Northeastern University. He completed postdoctoral fellowship training in neuroanatomy, neurobiology, and neuropsychology at the Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine and joined its faculty in 2001. In addition to his appointments at BUSM, Dr. Killiany currently teaches psychology at Northeastern University and is a Research Associate of Radiology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School and Research Associate of Psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School.
Contact Ron at: killiany@bu.edu
Dr. Neil W. Kowall was born in Calgary, Canada and graduated with his MD from the University of British Columbia in 1979. He moved to Boston for postgraduate training in Internal Medicine at the Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital followed by a Neurology residency at Massachusetts General Hospital. After finishing his clinical training, he completed a postdoctoral research fellowship and was appointed Assistant Professor of Neurology at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School. He moved to the VA and Boston University in 1992 where he is currently Professor of Neurology and Pathology, Chief of Neurology at VA Boston Healthcare System, Director of the VA New England Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center and Director of the NIH-funded Boston University Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. His major research interests are human neuroanatomy and neuropathology and the use of animal models to test novel therapies for neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s disease.
Dr. Michael McClean is an Associate Professor and the Director of Doctoral Training in the Department of Environmental Health at the BU School of Public Health. Dr. McClean oversees the Exposure Biology Research Laboratory and his research interests focus on the use of biological markers to assess environmental and occupational exposures with respect to exposure-related disease. Trained as an industrial hygienist, he is interested in improving upon traditional exposure assessment methods.
Learn more HERE
Contact Michael at: mmcclean@bu.edu
Professor of Neurology & Pathology, Director, Neuropathology Core
Dr. McKee completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Wisconsin and received her medical degree from the Case Western Reserve School of Medicine. She completed residency training in neurology at Cleveland Metropolitan General Hospital and fellowship training in neuropathology at Massachusetts General Hospital. She was Assistant Professor of Neuropathology at Harvard Medical School from 1991-94, when she became Associate Professor of Neurology and Pathology at Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine. In 2011, she was promoted to Professor of Neurology and Pathology. Dr. McKee directs the Neuropathology Service for the New England Veterans Administration Medical Centers (VISN-1) and the Brain Banks for the Boston University Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Center, Framingham Heart Study, and Centenarian Study, which are all based at the Bedford VAMC. Dr. McKee is also the Chief Neuropathologist for the National VA ALS Brain Bank.
Assistant Professor of Neurology, BU ADRC Clinical Core Associate Director
Dr. Mez completed his undergraduate studies at Cornell University and earned his medical degree from the University of Maryland School of Medicine. He completed residency training in Neurology at Massachusetts General and Brigham and Women’s Hospitals. He completed a clinical fellowship in Aging and Dementia and a research fellowship in Neuroepidemiology at Columbia University. During fellowship training, he also earned a Masters in Biostatistics with a focus on Statistical Genetics from the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia. In 2013, he became an Assistant Professor of Neurology at Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine.
Co-Founder and CEO, Concussion Legacy Foundation
Chris Nowinski is the founding executive director of the Sports Legacy Institute (SLI), a non-profit organization dedicated to solving the sports concussion crisis through education, advocacy, and research, and the co-founder and CEO of the Concussion Legacy Foundation (CLF). An All-Ivy Harvard football player-turned WWE professional wrestler-turned neuroscientist, Chris discovered the concussion crisis the hard way. A 2003 kick to the chin in a WWE match ended his career, causing Post-Concussion Syndrome and sending him to the office of his eventual CLF co-founder Dr. Robert Cantu. Through Dr. Cantu, Chris was first exposed to medical research that revealed to him that concussions and brain trauma were misunderstood in the sports world. He is the author of the book Head Games, as well as 18 medical journal articles.
Learn more HERE.
Contact Chris at: Nowinski@ConcussionFoundation.org
Associate Professor of Neurology. Director, Residency Program
Bio Coming Soon...
Learn More HERE
Wendy Qiu is an Associate Professor in the Psychiatry Department, Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics Department, Alzheimer’s disease Center (ADC) at Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine. She is also a faculty member in the Neuroscience Program at Boston University. She is a Board Certified Psychiatrist who was trained at Tufts Medical Center and at the Payne Whitney Clinic, New York Presbyterian Hospital, Cornell Medical Center.
Learn more HERE
Contact Wendy at: wqiu67@bu.edu
Dr. Schon received her Ph.D. in Psychology at the BU Dept. of Psychological and Brain Sciences. She is a cognitive neuroscientist and an expert in functional neuroimaging studies of human memory. She is an Assistant Professor of Anatomy and Neurobiology and director of the Brain Plasticity and Neuroimaging Laboratory at BUMC. Currently, her research focuses on exercise and the brain in aging.
Learn more HERE
Contact Karin at: kschon@bu.edu
Dr. Stein’s research interests involve the study of neurodegenerative diseases, including chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), Alzheimer disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). He studies the role of trauma in the abnormal accumulation of beta-amyloid and tau and in the acceleration of neurodegenerative disease. He is an acting neuropathologist involved with the brain banks for the Boston University Alzheimer’s Disease and CTE Center, Framingham Heart Study, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) National ALS Biorepository, as well as the National Veterans Administration ALS, Gulf War, and PTSD brain banks.
Learn more HERE.
Contact Dr. Stein at: tdstein@bu.edu
Yorghos Tripodis, Ph.D., Co-Investigator, is Assistant Professor of Biostatistics at Boston University School of Public Health. He has years of research experience in correlated data analysis including applications in clinical trials, observational studies and time series. He serves as the biostatistician for the BU Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. He is also the biostatistician for the UNITE (Understanding Neurological Injury and Traumatic Encephalopathy) bio bank.
Learn more HERE
Contact Yorghos at: yorghos@bu.edu
Clinical Core Investigator, ADRC Clinical Core
Dr. Elizabeth Vassey completed her Pre-doctoral Clinical Fellowship with a specialty in Clinical Neuropsychology at The Memory Clinic (Clinical Neurosciences Research Associates) as the primary placement of the Southwestern Vermont Psychology Consortium. She also pursued postdoctoral training in Forensic Neuropsychology specializing in traumatic brain injury, Alzheimer’s disease, and other causes of memory disorders. She completed her Postdoctoral Fellowship in Clinical Neuropsychology from the Department of Neurology at the BU ADC under the supervision of Dr. Robert Stern and joined its faculty in 2014. In addition to her appointment at the BU ADRC, Dr. Vassey is the Associate Director of the Boston Center for Memory (BCM), a multi-specialty diagnostic and treatment center for patients with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. At BCM, Dr. Vassey is responsible for providing clinical evaluations and follow-up clinical care as well as managing and coordinating the clinical and research administrative operations of the center.
Contact Elisabeth at: evassey@bu.edu
External Collaborators
Dr. Adler received his M.D. and Ph.D. (pharmacology) from NYU School of Medicine and did his neurology residency and movement disorders fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania. He then joined Mayo Clinic Arizona with research interests in biomarkers for an early diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease and PD with dementia, identifying new treatments for PD and other movement disorders, and studying sports neurology including golfer’s cramp (yips) and biomarkers for chronic traumatic encephalopathy. Dr. Adler was awarded the 2006 Distinguished Investigator of the Year Award at Mayo Clinic Arizona.
Tim Ahles, Ph.D. is the Director of the Neurocognitive Research Laboratory at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Over the last 20 years, his research has focused on cognitive side effects of cancer treatments including chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, and radiation therapy. These studies have included cross-sectional and longitudinal studies of chemotherapy-induced cognitive change utilizing neuropsychological assessments and structural and functional MRI, examination of genetic other biological factors that increase risk for cognitive changes, study of the interface of treatment-induced cognitive change and ageing, and the evaluation of cognitive behavioral interventions.
Contact Dr. Ahles at: ahlest@mskcc.org
More Information Coming Soon...
Dr. Bernick graduated summa cum laude from Rice University with a BA in history, received his MD from University of Texas Southwestern, and was elected to the medical honor society, alpha omega alpha. Dr. Bernick completed a neurology residency at the University of Miami, followed by a neurology fellowship at the University of Arizona, and a Masters of Public Health at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He is currently Associate Director of the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health and directs the Professional Fighters Brain Health study, which aims to understand the effects of cumulative head trauma on the brain.
Contact Dr. Bernick at: BERNICC@ccf.org
Coming soon.
More Information Coming Soon...
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Russell T. Joffe, M.D., is a Professor of Psychiatry at Hofstra LIJ-North Shore School of Medicine. Previously he held senior administrative and clinical research positions in the United States and Canada. He has been consistently funded by peer-reviewed government and private agencies in these two countries. He has more than 400 peer reviewed publications and abstracts and more than 35 book chapters. His research interests are the pharmacology of treatment-resistant depression, bipolar disorder and the role of thyroid hormones in mood and cognition.
Contact Dr. Joffe at: rjoffe51@verizon.net
More Information Coming Soon...
Dr. Mandelblatt is the Associate Director for Population Sciences at Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center and a tenured Professor of Medicine and Oncology at Georgetown University. Dr. Mandelblatt is one of a limited number of US scientists conducting research at the intersection of cancer and aging. She currently serves as the lead of the NCI's Cancer Intervention and Surveillance Modeling Network (CISNET) Breast Cancer Working Group and has led breast cancer screening analyses for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Cancer Society, and the US Preventive Services Task Force.
Contact Dr. Mandelblatt at: mandelbj@georgetown.edu
Lisa earned a BA from Cornell University where she met her husband, Tom McHale, an All-American Defensive End for the Big Red. They married and moved to Tampa, where Tom began his NFL career and Lisa received degrees in School Psychology from the University of South Florida. When Tom passed away in 2008, Lisa donated his brain to the VA-BU-SLI brain bank where he was diagnosed with CTE. In 2010, Lisa joined the Sports Legacy Institute as Director of Family Relations, serving as the liaison between the researchers and donor families.
Contact Lisa at: lmchale@sportslegacy.org
Dr. Pasquale is Professor of Ophthalmology at Mass Eye and Ear where he is Director of the Glaucoma Service and co-Director of the Harvard Glaucoma Center of Excellence. His has produced seminal work demonstrating that systemic endothelial cell dysfunction contributes to the pathogenesis of primary open-angle glaucoma. His research interest centers on the discovery of gene-environment interactions in the open-angle glaucomas.
Contact Dr. Pasquale at: Louis_Pasquale@meei.harvard.edu
Dr. Martha E. Shenton is Professor of Psychiatry and Radiology, and Director of the Psychiatry Neuroimaging Laboratory, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School. She is also a Health Scientist at the VA Boston Healthcare System. Her laboratory has pioneered in development of neuroimaging tools to understand brain alterations in disorders such as schizophrenia, traumatic brain injury – including sports-related brain trauma – posttraumatic stress disorder, William’s syndrome, and Velocardiofacial Syndrome. She received her A.B. degree in Psychology from Wellesley College and her Ph.D. in Psychology from Harvard University.
Learn more HERE
Contact Dr. Shenton at: shenton@bwh.harvard.edu
Alumni Staff
Christine Baugh graduated from Harvard College (2010) and from BU School of Public Health (2012). She previously served as the BU CTE Center’s Clinical Research and Program Coordinator and as a Research Instructor in BU School of Medicine's Department of Neurology. Christine is pursuing her PhD in Health Policy at Harvard University. She is continuing her concussion-related research as an NCAA Graduate Student Grant Award Recipient, a Graduate Student Researcher in the Division of Sports Medicine at Boston Children’s Hospital, and a member of the Health Policy Data Science Lab.
Contact Christine at: cbaugh@g.harvard.edu
Hanaan Bing-Canar graduated from Haverford College in 2015 with a major in psychology and a minor in neuroscience. While at Haverford, Hanaan had the experience of working in cognitive psychology, social psychology, and cognitive neuroscience labs, as well as completing a year-long thesis examining the effects of mindfulness meditation on the brain's response to performance errors. Hanaan is currently applying to graduate programs.
Ms. Bourlas completed her undergraduate degree at Johns Hopkins University and her Master’s degree at Boston University. Her Master’s thesis examining the effect of age of first exposure on later-life mood, behavior, and executive function was completed at the Boston University Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Center under the supervision of Dr. Robert Stern. She is currently a medical student at Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Contact Alexandra at: ab508214@ohio.edu
James is an undergraduate Biochemistry major at University of Massachusetts Boston. He’s a non-traditional student, and veteran of the U.S. Air Force. During his enlistment he worked as an intelligence analyst and has supported military operations around the globe including Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, counter narcotics operations in South America, and special operations units in the Middle East and Africa. James developed an interest in neuroscience from witnessing the impact of PTSD in troops returning from warzones.
Sienna graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2018 with a B.S. in Psychology with a concentration in neuroscience. Throughout her time as an undergrad, Sienna worked in a neuroscience lab that studied the effects of sleep on cognition and memory in pre-school aged children. During her senior year she also completed her research thesis on early childhood attachment and how that impacts human behavior in relationships later in life. Sienna joined the ADC Clinical Trials team in June of 2018 as a Research Assistant and is currently working on a variety of studies that all work to further our understanding, prevent and treat Alzheimer’s disease.
Kim is a graduate of Connecticut College, where she majored in psychology. After graduation, Kim worked as a psychometrician, where she was first exposed to neuropsychology and diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. Kim is currently a research assistant/psychometrician at the Boston University Alzheimer’s Disease Center, where she works on the HOPE Study. Kim is currently attending a doctoral program in clinical psychology. She enjoys cooking, running, and spending time with family and friends.
Saba is a first year student in the Behavioral Neuroscience Ph.D. program at the Boston University School of Medicine. Saba completed her undergraduate training at Case Western Reserve University, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in cognitive science and psychology. She then completed her Master of Arts in psychology at New York University, focusing on neuropsychological and rehabilitative clinical research in focal lesion, epilepsy, and traumatic brain injury populations. Saba joined the CTE Center at Boston University in September 2015. She hopes to focus her doctoral research on the development of biomarkers and other diagnostic criteria to detect CTE during life.
Originally from Washington, DC, Ben Coleman is a senior in the undergraduate neuroscience program and Kilachand Honors College at Boston University. As a member of the Brain Plasticity and Neuroimaging Lab at BUMC, he started collaborating with BU’s Alzheimer’s Disease Center in December 2014. His research interests include subjective cognitive complaints in healthy older adults and early detection methods for Alzheimer’s disease. He also studies history, sings in Boston University’s Marsh Chapel Choir, and is an avid swimmer, biker, and runner.
Clara is investigating systemic microvascular abnormalities in Alzheimer’s disease as well as mild cognitive impairment in a collaboration between Boston University’s Alzheimer’s Disease Center and the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary (MEEI). She is a research assistant/ study coordinator at MEEI and uses nailfold video capillaroscopy to evaluate nailfold capillary morphology in glaucoma.
Contact Clara at: Clara_Cousins@meei.harvard.edu
Dr. Damman graduated in 2008 with a degree in neuropsychology. In the same year she began working as a neuropsychologist in a nursing home, where she worked with patients who were recovering from a stroke or suffering from Alzheimer's disease, other causes of dementia, Parkinson's disease, Multiple Sclerosis, and cancer. In 2013 she finished her postdoc in psychology, and since 2014 she has run her own practice.
Learn more HERE
Dan Daneshvar completed the degree requirements for a Ph.D. in Behavioral Neuroscience in 2013, en route to M.D./Ph.D. dual degrees expected in 2016. He received a Bachelor of Sciences from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Brain and Cognitive Sciences with Concentrations in Cognitive Neuroscience and Poetry. He joined the CTE Center at Boston University School of Medicine in January 2009.
Contact Dan at: ddanesh@bu.edu
Diane Essis completed her Bachelors of Art in Biological Sciences with a Cellular and Molecular Concentration at Connecticut College in 2012 and her Master of Science in Management with a Concentration in Eldercare Administration at Lasell College in 2013. Diane joined the ADC in August of 2013, serving as a member of the ADC Clinical Core where she was in charge of research recruitment and retention across all BU ADC research studies and clinical trials. She also helped create the bi-annual newsletter and worked closely with the ADC Education Core to promote Alzheimer’s disease outreach and education. Diane is currently attending Wayne State University School of Medicine.
Clinical Research Assistant, DIAGNOSE CTE Research Project
Chris graduated from Pennsylvania State University in 2021 with a B.S. in Psychology and Certificate in Trauma Studies. During his studies, Chris completed independent undergraduate research focused on alcohol use, narcissism, and archival neurophysiological data. He also enjoys adventures in freelance photography and the arts. Combining passions in neuroscience, ethics, and psychology, he joined the Stern Lab in January of 2022 as a Clinical Research Assistant for the DIAGNOSE CTE Research Project.
Steven graduated from the Boston University School of Medicine Physician Assistant Program in 2016. Prior to that, he obtained a Master of Science degree from the University of South Florida. He also completed his undergraduate studies at BU where he majored in human physiology. His interests include sports and hiking.
Nate joined the CTE Center team in June, 2012, after graduating from Bowdoin College. At Bowdoin, Nate earned a B.A. in biology while playing four years of NCAA Division III lacrosse and singing in a collegiate a cappella group. As a Research Assistant, and later Research Coordinator, he directed the CTE Center’s DETECT Study through May of 2015. Nate is now a member of the class of 2019 at the Oregon Health and Science University School of Medicine.
Kristin Galetta completed her undergraduate degree at Barnard College in 2008 and earned her medical school degree at the University of Pennsylvania in 2015. She worked at the CTE center during the summer of 2014 as an intern investigating the use of visual tests in CTE and Alzheimer’s disease. She is now a resident in the Partner’s Neurology Program at Brigham and Women’s and Massachusetts General Hospitals.
Contact Kristin at: Kristingaletta@gmail.com
Danielle graduated summa cum laude from Tufts University in 2014 with a B.S. in biopsychology and was inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa honor society. She had completed 1.5 years of undergraduate research experience when she joined the BU CTE Center. Danielle is currently in medical school at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine as a member of the Class of 2019.
Learn more HERE
Contact Danielle at: dgillard@ucsd.edu
Sarah earned a B.S. in Health Science from Boston University’s Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences. In 2014 she interned at the World Health Organization while studying abroad in Geneva, Switzerland, and she joined the CTE Center in January 2015 shortly after returning to the US. Currently, she is pursuing an MPH from the BU School of Public Health with a concentration in epidemiology.
John Hayden graduated with his Bachelor’s degree in 2014 from Vassar College, where he conducted research in a neuroendocrinology lab. John’s undergraduate research focused on the impact of hormone therapy on behavioral recovery following traumatic brain injury. He received his Master of Medical Sciences at Boston University School of Medicine in 2016. He is currently attending Boston University School of Medicine as a first year medical student.
Dr. Jennifer C. Hunter is an epidemiologist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Dr. Hunter has 10 years of public health experience working in government and academic settings. At CDC, Dr. Hunter's work has focused on the prevention of and response to emerging infectious diseases, including Ebola virus disease, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV), and antimicrobial resistant infections. She received a doctorate in public health from the University of California, Berkeley and earned an MPH at Boston University School of Public Health.
Johnny Jarnagin served in the United States Army from 2007 to 2011 as a Combat Medic. He served in Operation Enduring Freedom in 2009-2010. He is currently attending The University of Massachusetts Boston, where he will be receiving a B.S. in Psychology in December 2015. He joined the CTE Center in November 2014. Johnny is currently attending University of Massachusetts School of Medicine.
Brian is a 2014 graduate of Boston University’s Questrom School of Business and is currently working in the Office of Financial and Grants Administration at the Boston University School of Medicine, an office that specializes in post award financial management of federal and non-federal research funding. Along with managing Dr. Stern’s grants, Brian works with principal investigators in the departments of Neurology and Ophthalmology. During his time at the Questrom, Brian concentrated in Organizational Behavior and Business Law. Outside of work, Brian is an avid Boston sports fan and enjoys writing and performing music. Brian is currently working towards his MBA and has recently started a new position as a Financial Analyst at Harvard Medical School.
Megan graduated from the University of Delaware in 2016 as a double major, with a B.S in Neuroscience and B.A in Psychology. She has had diverse research experience, allowing her to explore neurocognitive processes in both clinical and healthy populations. She completed her Masters in Public Health at Boston University with a focus on health care management in May 2021.
Brian graduated from Boston University in 2019 with a B.S. in Health Science. He joined the ADC in March of 2018 as a Research Assistant for the DIAGNOSE CTE Research Project. Brian has been a youth football coach for the past 5 years, with previous research focused on the perceived and demonstrated impacts of traumatic head injury in youth sports. In May 2021, he completed his Masters in Public Health with a focus in Epidemiology and Biostatistics, and plans to pursue a doctoral program in neuropsychology.
Sam Neveu is a senior studying Neuroscience at Boston University. He joined the CTE Center as a LEGEND intern in August 2015. Originally from Longmeadow, Massachusetts, Sam enjoys biking, skiing and playing the saxophone. His research interests include determining the specific risk factors for CTE and the use of biomarkers to help diagnose the disease.
Kait first joined the CTE Center as a graduate research intern with Christine Baugh while completing her MPH at Boston University. Kait then began working full time as the LEGEND Study Coordinator, while also assisting with the DETECT study, managing the CTE Center intern program and other various side projects. After completing her MPH in May, she has since moved back to her alma mater, The University of Kansas. Kait is still involved in projects at the CTE Center, both clinical and legislative. Rock Chalk Jayhawk!
Learn more HERE
Contact Kaitlyn at: kaitlyn.iris.perry@gmail.com
Alyssa graduated from Cornell University with degrees in psychology and business. While at Cornell, she worked in neuroethology and cognitive neuroscience labs and was a member of the varsity volleyball team. Alyssa joined the Stern Lab in 2017 and currently manages several studies, including the Independent Notre Dame Footballers Medical Research Project and the HOPE Study Repetitive Head Impact cohort.
Cliff Robbins began his work in concussion and CTE with Dr. Stern as the study coordinator for the LEGEND program and the Brain Donation Registry. He has authored and co-authored several publications with the BU CTE center team on CTE and repetitive brain trauma. He currently manages educational and research programs for the Concussion Legacy Foundation, where he regularly speaks around the world about the long term consequences of repetitive brain trauma and proper concussion management.
Contact Cliff at: crobbins@concussionfoundation.org
Alyssa Schmitt attended Clemson University for the southern football experience and for her undergraduate degree in Psychology. Alyssa is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Anatomy and Neurobiology at Boston University School of Medicine. She joined the CTE Center to write her thesis on the risks factors of weight gain/loss on cognitive functioning among NFL players. She suffers from chronic wanderlust and is always planning her next adventure!
Dr. Solomon completed his bachelor’s degree at St. Lawrence University and earned his PhD from New York University in the Department of Applied Psychology with a specialty in Clinical Neuropsychology. He completed his clinical internship at The Memory Clinic with a specialty in the neuropsychology of aging and dementia. In 2013, he joined the department of Neurology at Boston University School of Medicine as a postdoctoral fellow in clinical neuropsychology. He serves as an investigator at BU's Alzheimer’s Disease Center and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Center.
Contact Dr. Solomon at: tsolom@bu.edu
Dr. Stamm earned her Ph.D. in Anatomy and Neurobiology from the Boston University School of Medicine in 2015 under the mentorship of Drs. Robert Stern and Martha Shenton. She was the recipient of an NIH NRSA Predoctoral Fellowship award in 2012. Her dissertation work examined the later-life neuropsychological and structural consequences of incurring repeated head impacts through tackle football during a critical neurodevelopmental period prior to age 12 as well as diffusion tensor imaging in former NFL players at high risk for having CTE. Dr. Stamm is currently conducting concussion research as a postdoctoral research associate in the Department of Radiology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Contact Dr. Stamm at: stamm3@wisc.edu
Megan Wulff worked at Boston University School of Medicine from 2006 to 2010, during which time she managed clinical research studies on Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy and Alzheimer’s disease, coordinated brain donation for the Boston University CTE Center, and completed an MPH in Health Law. She left Boston University to attend Yale Law School and pursue a career in health law. She is currently Senior Manager for Market Performance at the Massachusetts Health Policy Commission and a Visiting Lecturer in Law at Yale Law School.
Learn more HERE
Contact Megan at: megawulff@gmail.com
Research Assistant, Alzheimer’s Disease Clinical Trials Program
Background
Lorraine Baldwin has been a research assistant at Boston University for over twenty years and has been involved in many Alzheimer’s research projects.
ADRC Role
Lorraine is responsible for entry of subject information into computerized databases and is also responsible for reviewing data for accuracy. She also provides general clerical support to the project managers for the various studies of Alzheimer’s disease.
Study Coordinator, DIAGNOSE CTE Research Project
Kathleen graduated from Boston University in 2019 with a B.A. in Biology with a concentration in Cellular Biology, Molecular Biology, and Genetics. While there, Kathleen contributed to multiple projects focused on aging, palliative care, and health equity at the BU School of Social Work and Boston Medical Center. She joined the ADRC in July of 2019 as a Research Assistant for the DIAGNOSE CTE Research Project.
Research Assistant, Alzheimer’s Disease Clinical Trials Program
Maddy graduated from Wheaton College in 2020 with a B.A. in Neuroscience and a minor in Biology. At Wheaton, Maddy worked as a research assistant in the field of Public Health, contributing to projects focused on understanding the stigma associated with epidemics such as obesity and e-cigarette use. Combining her interests in public health and neuroscience, Maddy joined the ADRC in June of 2020 as the Clinical Trials Research Assistant.
Retention Coordinator, DIAGNOSE CTE Research Project
Mary graduated from Boston College in 2020 with a B.S. in Neuroscience. During her time at BC, Mary worked as a research assistant in a cognitive neuroscience laboratory that investigated questions about memory. She joined the center in July of 2020 as the Retention Coordinator for the DIAGNOSE CTE Research Project. Mary has always been passionate about equity in healthcare but, her interest in CTE-related research began during a course that explored ethical controversies within the fields of psychology and neuroscience.
Project Manager, HITSS
Sahib Singh graduated from Johns Hopkins in 2019 with a B.S. in Neuroscience with a concentration in Systems Neuroscience. Sahib then completed his Master's degree in Science at the University of Cincinnati, majoring in Physiology. In his spare time, he loves to skateboard and help spread awareness of mindfulness through his non-profit Healthy Mind Healthy Body Initiative. Sahib joined the Stern Lab in May of 2021, working to manage the Head Impact and Trauma Surveillance Study (HITSS).
Retention Coordinator, DIAGNOSE CTE Research Project
Marty graduated from the University of Maryland in 2016 with a B.S. in Finance. Following graduation, he worked in the hedge fund industry for three years before returning to school to pursue a career in medicine. Marty received his Certificate in Premedical Studies from Columbia University in 2021 and has since worked as a patient care volunteer and research associate at New York-Presbyterian.
Marty joined the Stern Lab in August of 2022 as a Retention Coordinator for the DIAGNOSE CTE Research Project.
Research Data Analyst, DIAGNOSE CTE Research Project
Surya graduated from Boston University in 2021 with degrees in biochemistry and human physiology. There, he worked on chemistry education and research related to metacognition and blended learning. He is also an avid origami enthusiast. Surya joined the BU CTE Center in July of 2021 as a Research Study Coordinator for the DIAGNOSE CTE Research Project.
Senior Research Assistant
Hannah Bruce completed her undergraduate studies at Utah Valley University. After playing soccer at the Division I and professional level, Hannah earned her Master’s Degree in Clinical and Therapeutic Neuroscience in 2021 from the University of Oxford. Hannah’s most recent research focused on the electrophysiological and biomechanical response of the brain in female soccer players who head the ball. She joined the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (ADRC) at Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine in January 2022 where she serves as a Senior Research Assistant for the Clinical Core. Hannah works primarily with the repetitive head injury cohort where she facilitates the screening, neuropsychological assessments, and study visits of participants.
Administrative Coordinator
Kaleb graduated from Goshen College in 2012 with a B.A. in Music Education. He was involved with music and theatre, continuing these passions to now. He originally came to Boston University and worked with BU Metropolitan College while pursuing his Master’s degree in Arts Administration. He has also previously worked for non-profits Wesley at Central Michigan University and the Boch Center.
Kaleb joined the Stern Lab in May of 2021, working with the DIAGNOSE CTE Research Project and the Head Impact and Trauma Surveillance Study (HITSS).
Clinical Research Assistant, DIAGNOSE CTE Research Project
Bailey graduated from Northeastern University in 2022 with a B.S. in Psychology/Business and a minor in biology. As a recent graduate, she is looking to pursue a career in medicine and is currently an active volunteer at Big Sister Boston, Boston Public Education, and CareDimensions hospice center. She also works part-time as a Clinical Care Technician at Tufts Medical Center. Bailey joined the Stern lab in early September of 2022 as a Clinical Research Assistant, working on participant visits and retention.
Study Coordinator, DIAGNOSE CTE Research Project
Carrie Kugelmass graduated from the University of Connecticut in 2022 with a B.A. in Psychology and a minor in Neuroscience. While at UConn, she did research in both cognitive and health psychology labs, including for a longitudinal research study on the effects of racial discrimination on health behavior. She also worked as a companion for individuals with acquired brain injuries. Carrie joined the center in May of 2022 as a Study Coordinator for the DIAGNOSE CTE Research Project.
Alumni Trainees
Graduate Student
Éimear is an Irish graduate student who joined the ADC in November 2018. She completed her B.S. in Psychology at Leiden University, the Netherlands in 2017 and is currently pursuing her Research Master’s degree in Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, specialising in Neuropsychology from Maastricht University, the Netherlands. In her spare time she likes to play the Irish sports of camogie and gaelic football.
Student Intern, HITSS
David Madzivanyika is a Class of 2023 A.B Candidate in Neuroscience at Harvard College. As a lifelong football player, David has developed a passion for brain research and has aspirations to improve the game of football. He joined the Stern Lab in January 2022 as a research volunteer for the Head Impact and Trauma Surveillance Study (HITSS).
