2017 Annual Meeting Speaker Biographies

Speaker name: Mark D’Esposito, M.D.

Topic: Emerging brain imaging methods for assessing normal and abnormal cognitive function

Bio: Dr. Mark D’Esposito is Professor of Neuroscience and Psychology, and Director of the Henry H. Wheeler, Jr. Brain Imaging Center at the Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute at the University of California, Berkeley. He is also Director of the Neurorehabilitation Unit at the Northern California VA Health Care System and Adjunct Professor of Neurology at UCSF. He received his MD at SUNY Syracuse and completed a neurology residency and fellowship at Boston University. His lab investigates the role of prefrontal cortex in working memory and cognitive control utilizing different experimental approaches such as functional MRI, transcranial magnetic stimulation, pharmacological interventions and behavioral studies of healthy individuals and those with neurological disorders. Dr. D’Esposito is the Editor-In-Chief of the Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience and numerous awards such as the Norman Geschwind Prize in Behavioral Neurology from American Academy of Neurology and the Best Doctors in America. He has trained over 60 post-doctoral fellows and graduate students and is the Principal Investigator on several NIH, private foundation and VA-funded projects. He has author over 275 research publications as well as six books on the topics of behavioral neurology and cognitive neuroscience.

Disclosures:
Financial: Dr. D’Esposito is a salaried full professor in the Helen Wills Neuroscience Institue at the University of California, Berkeley. His research is funded by the National Institute on Health. He is also a salaried neurologist in the Northern California VA Health Care System. He has received a waiver of his ANCDS conference fee and an honorarium from ANCDS for his presentation at this meeting.
Non-financial: Dr. D’Esposito is the editor of the Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience.

Learner outcomes:

  1. Describe the brain imaging methods used to study brain function.
  2. Describe the basic principles of the functional organization of the brain.
  3. Discuss how brain imaging methods can be used to diagnose and guide the treatment of patients with language and cognitive deficits.

Kathy Hardin, M.A., CCC-SLP, Certified Brain Injury Specialist Trainer

Topic: Concussion and speech-language pathology: The state of the state

Bio: Ms. Hardin is an Assistant Professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation. Her clinical work is at the Marcus Institute for Brain Health where, as Clinical Lead, she provides care exclusively for individuals with complex post-concussive symptomatology and psychological health needs. Her research focus specifically addresses cognitive-speech-language therapy in concussion/mild TBI and improving outcomes across domains.

Kathryn Hardin is certified by the American Speech-Language Hearing Association and is a Certified Brain Injury Specialist Trainer from the Academy of Brain Injury Specialists. She is a licensed speech-language pathologist (SLP) in the State of Colorado and has been a clinician in neurotrauma working with adults and children post mild TBI for nearly 15 years. Previously at the University of Colorado Boulder, Professor Hardin initiated both evidence-based academic and clinical graduate training in concussion management. She worked with over 1000 individuals pre- and post-injury and trained over 200 graduate students.

Ms. Hardin has assumed a national role for SLPs and concussion management. In 2013, she received the award for Outstanding Clinical Achievement in the State of Colorado, as well as being a 2013 national nominee for the ASHFoundation Louis M. DiCarlo Award. In 2015, for her work in concussion, she was granted a Trailblazer designation for innovative/transformational work in the field of speech-language pathology and wrote the cover article for the ASHA Leader on the revised evidence-base for SLPs in concussion management. Ms. Hardin continues to speak locally, in the US and Canada advocating for the critical role of SLPs in concussion, persistent post-concussive syndrome, and long-term effects as well as educating SLPs how to be best prepared to address this exploding area of need.

Disclosures:
Financial: Ms. Hardin is a salaried faculty member at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Her work at the Marcus Institute for Brain Health is privately funded through a gift from the Marcus Foundation to the University of Colorado. She receives honoraria for workshops and presentations nationally and internationally. She is also paid as a Graduate Faculty Fellow in the Department of Speech, Language & Hearing Sciences at the University of Colorado-Boulder. She has received a waiver of her ANCDS conference fee and an honorarium from ANCDS for her presentation at this meeting.
Non-financial: Ms. Hardin is at times a reviewer for various ASHA committees related to TBI.

Learner Outcomes:

  1. Based on published consensus guidelines, identify the roles of SLP in concussion management.
  2. Identify three barriers to the expanded role of SLPs in concussion management.
  3. Identify three possible areas of future research related to mild TBI and subconcussive blows

David Hovda, Ph.D.

Topic: The translation of the science of traumatic brain injury: From bench to bedside and back

Bio: Dr. Hovda is the Director of the UCLA Brain Injury Research Center. He is Past President of the National Neurotrauma and International Neurotrauma Societies. He has served as Chair of study sections for the National Institute for Neurological Disease and Stroke (NINDS). Dr. Hovda has received a number of awards for his research on brain injury and recovery of function, including the 1991 National Head Injury Foundation Award, the Giannini Foundation Award, the Benjamin Franklin Haught Memorial Award, the 2008 Deborah L. Warden Lectureship Award and named the Lind Lawrence Eminent Scholar for his work on the topic of Traumatic Brain Injury, the U.S. Army’s Strength of the Nation Award in recognition of his efforts to help military personnel suffering from mild traumatic brain injury, and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Neurotrauma Society. In addition, Dr. Hovda received the 2006 Women in Neurotrauma award for his teaching and support of women in neuroscience. Dr. Hovda is internationally known for his translational work on the pathobiology of traumatic brain injury and has devoted most of his career to understanding the mechanisms of recovery of function. Dr. Hovda has consulted with Major League Baseball, the National Football League, National Hockey League and World Boxing Council. He continues to serve as a consultant for professional sporting organizations, as well as the Veteran’s Administration and Department of Defense, addressing issues related to traumatic brain injury and recovery of function.

Disclosures:
Financial: Dr. Hovda is a tenured professor receiving salary support from UCLA. His research is funded by the NIH/NINDS. He has received a waiver of his ANCDS conference fee for his presentation at this meeting. At his request, his honorarium for this presentation will be given to the UCLA Brain Injury Research Center. 
Non-financial: Dr. Hovda serves as an unpaid consultant for professional sporting organizations and the VA and Department of Defense.

Learner outcomes:

  1. Discuss the biomechanics of traumatic brain injury
  2. Discuss the contribution of cells that do not biomechanically and irreversibly die after trauma to long term deficits.
  3. Explain how to challenge the issue of experimental design in the clinical setting when investigators may think they have a dependent variable they should act on.

Mary Kennedy, Ph.D., CCC-SLP

Topic: Supporting college students with concussion: Two clinical cases

Bio: Mary R.T. Kennedy, Ph.D., is Professor and Chair, Communication Sciences and Disorders at Chapman University, Orange, CA. She has years of clinical and research experience working with individuals with cognitive impairments after brain injury, specifically metacognition, self-regulation and evidence-based practice with 60+ publications on these and related topics. Her current work involved identifying best practices and validating outcomes when supporting college students with executive function problems, especially those with brain injury.  

Disclosures:
Financial: Dr. Kennedy receives salary support from Chapman University, and royalties from her book “Coaching college students with executive function problems”. She has received a waiver of her ANCDS conference fees for her presentation at this meeting. At her request, the honorarium for this presentation will be given to the ANCDS Conference Fellowship Fund.
Non-financial: Dr. Kennedy is a member of ANCDS, and has held several positions in the organization, including President and Chair of the TBI Practice Guidelines Committee.

Learner outcomes:

  1. Describe proximal and distal goals and outcomes for college students with post-concussion syndrome (PCS).
  2. Describe coaching support and personalized instruction. 
  3. Identify additional sources of support for college students with PCS.

Katy O’Brien, Ph.D., CCC-SLP

Topic: Supporting college students with concussion: Two clinical cases

Bio: Katy H. O’Brien, PhD, CCC-SLP, is an Assistant Professor at the University of Georgia. She has clinical experience in adult acute care and inpatient rehabilitation. Her research addresses cognitive rehabilitation, including how individuals with brain injury think about and plan for the future.

Disclosures:
Financial: Dr. O’Brien receives salary support from the University of Georgia. She has received a waiver of her ANCDS conference fees for her presentation at this meeting.
Non-financial: Dr. O’Brien is a board member of the Brain Injury Association of Georgia, and a member of ANCDS.

Learner outcomes:

  1. Describe proximal and distal goals and outcomes for college students with post-concussion syndrome (PCS).
  2. Describe coaching support and personalized instruction. 
  3. Identify additional sources of support for college students with PCS.

Sarah Schellinger, Ph.D., CCC-SLP

Topic: Supporting college students with concussion: Two clinical cases

Bio: Dr. Sarah Schellinger is an Assistant Professor in the Communication Sciences and Disorders Department at Saint Xavier University. Her research focuses on clinical decision-making, public perceptions of brain injury, and the effectiveness of education campaigns related to brain injury.

Disclosures:
Financial: Dr. Schellinger is a salaried assistant professor at Saint Xavier University, where she teaches courses related to the topic of this presentation and serves as the graduate program director. Her current research is funded through internal grants at Saint Xavier University. She has received a waiver of her ANCDS conference fees for her presentation at this meeting.
Non-financial: Dr. Schellinger is a member of ANCDS and serves on the finance committee. She is a member of ASHA and ASHA Special Interest Group 2 (Neurogenic Communication Disorders). She also serves as an occasional reviewer for several peer-reviewed journals.

Learner outcomes:

  1. Describe proximal and distal goals and outcomes for college students with post-concussion syndrome (PCS).
  2. Describe coaching support and personalized instruction. 
  3. Identify additional sources of support for college students with PCS.

Lyn Turkstra, Ph.D., CCC-SLP

Topic: Case Study in Traumatic Brain Injury

Bio: Dr. Lyn Turkstra is Professor and Assistant Dean of Rehabilitation Science, and head of the Speech-Language Pathology Graduate Program at McMaster University in Ontario, Canada, and member of the McMaster Integrative Neuroscience Discovery & Study program. Her research and clinical aim is to support full life participation for adolescents and adults with neurological communication disorders. Dr. Turkstra’s research focuses on links between cognitive function and social communication in individuals with acquired brain injury, and she collaborates on development of evidence-informed practice standards to translate research findings into improved clinical practice. Dr. Turkstra is an author on over 85 peer-reviewed publications, including evidence-based practice guidelines for intervention in acquired brain injury.

Disclosures:
Financial: Dr. Turkstra receives salary from McMaster University. Her research is funded by NIH and PCORI. She has received honoraria and speaker fees from healthcare, education, and community organizations for invited presentations, and receives royalties for the book Optimizing Cognitive Rehabilitation: Effective Instructional Methods, which she co-authored. She has received a waiver of her ANCDS conference fee and an honorarium from ANCDS for her presentation at this meeting.
Non-financial: Dr. Turkstra is a member of ASHA and of ANCDS.

Learner outcomes:

  1. Define social cognition.
  2. Describe methods for evaluating social cognition.
  3. Describe visual pathways.