PEOPLE
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Douglas H. Smith, MD
The Robert A. Groff Endowed Professor and Vice Chairman for Research and Education in Neurosurgery
215-573-3156
Douglas H. Smith, MD, is the Robert A. Groff Endowed Professor Neurosurgery and Director of the Center for Brain Injury and Repair at the University of Pennsylvania. In addition, Prof. Smith is the Scientific Director of the Big 10/ Ivy league Colaboration on Concussion and he also serves as a member on the Scientific Advisory Boards of the US National Football League (NFL), the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)-DoD consortium on concussion and the International Concussion Society. In addition, the U.S. State Department asked him to lead an investigation into neurological deficits induced in members of the embassy in Cuba, which led to a newly discovered disorder, “Havana Syndrome.” Prof. Smith’s group has established that damage to brain networks and specifically, diffuse axonal injury (DAI), represents key pathological processes underlying concussion symptoms and that the extent of acute axonal pathology is predictive of cognitive outcome. In addition, his group has discovered mechanisms of concussion and more severe TBI that lead to progressive neurodegeneration, including chronic traumatic encephalopathy. These collective efforts are represented in over 250 published scientific reports earning an h-index of over 85. His awards include the Dorothy Russell medal, the highest honor conveyed by the British Neuropathological Society and the William Osler Patient Oriented Research Award from the University of Pennsylvania.
RESEARCHERS
Jean-Pierre Dollé, PhD
Senior Research Investigator
dollej@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
Jean-Pierre received his PhD in Biomedical Engineering from Rutgers University, his MS in Biomedical Engineering from Drexel University and his BSc in Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Witwatersrand in South Africa. His research interests involve investigating the increased risk of dementia following traumatic brain injury events.
Hailong Song, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow
Hailong.Song@Pennmedicine.upenn.edu
BM, Capital Medical University, China
PhD, Department of Pathology and Anatomical Sciences, University of Missouri
Research Interest: Developmental axon degeneration and sodium changes following experimental TBI
Mariana Ilha, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow
Mariana.Ilha@Pennmedicine.upenn.edu
MsC, Biological Sciences, Biochemistry at the Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
PhD, Biological Sciences, Biochemistry at the Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Kathryn Jacobson, PhD
NRSA T32 Postdoctoral Fellow
PhD, Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Purdue University
BA, Physics and Mathematics, College of Saint Benedict
My primary research interest is to understand how structural damage in the brain is repaired after traumatic brain injury.
Brian J. Kelley, MD, PhD
Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery, UConn Health
MD, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine
Residency, Neurological Surgery, Yale-New Haven Hospital
Fellowship, Pediatric Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Fellowship, Pediatric Spinal Deformity, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons
Research Interest: Changes in axon initial segment following experimental TBI
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
STUDENTS
Eashwar Kantemneni
University of Pennsylvania, C'24
Candidate for BA in Neuroscience
Minor Studies: Health Care Management, South Asia Studies
ALUMNI
Alex Palma
University of Pennsylvania, C’22
BA in Neuroscience
Minor Studies: Health Care Management, Chemistry, and Music
Former Staff
Yoonjung Kim
Research Specialist
Yoonjung.Kim@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
BA in Biology, Ursinus College
Research Interest: Determining injury thresholds following in vitro axonal injury
Alexandra Tomasevich
Research Specialist
Alexandra.Tomasevich@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
BA in Biology, Goucher College
Research Interest: Providing immunohistochemistry support for small and large animal tissue samples.
Jeremy Muhr
Research Specialist
Jeremy.Muhr@Pennmedicine.upenn.edu
BS in Neuroscience, High Point University
BA in Philosophy, High Point University