CBI's 2023 Annual Research Day was a huge success with over 130 attendees from various disciplines coming together to network, learn, and advance the field of chronic brain injury. Our event kicked off with 58 poster presentations from trainees, faculty, and staff, which covered a wide array of topics relating to brain injury — such as sleep fragmentation, inflammation and immunity, addiction disorders, dementia prevalence and development, advances to technology, and impacts for athletes. In total, the presenters represented nine departments from Ohio State and three departments from Nationwide Children's Hospital, highlighting the interdisciplinary nature of brain injury and the importance of collaboration within our research community.

This year, we had the honor of hosting Bruce T. Lamb, PhD (IU College of Medicine, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute) as our keynote speaker. Dr. Lamb discussed his work in characterizing several proteins involved in the development and progression of Alzheimer's disease, and also how his research has implicated TBI as a modifier for the development of Alzheimer's pathologies. Spotlight speakers included Barbara Bendlin, PhD (University of Wisconsin, Geriatrics), whose work focuses on factors impacting the trajectory of the aging brain, David Friedenberg, PhD (Battelle, Data Science/Neurotechnology), who spoke on his lab's neurotechnology efforts centered on improving the lives of people with motor impairments, and Ohio State's very own Tim Lucas, MD, PhD (OSU Wexner Medical Center/Battelle/NeuroTech Institute), who discussed new neurosurgical interventions. In addition to the spotlight and keynote talks, ten trainees took the stage to speak about their research in CBI mentor labs.

Our 2023 Research Day wrapped up with Dr. Lisa Huelskamp's survivor story, highlighting the importance of keeping those living with brain injury central to our work. During her talk, Dr. Huelskamp spoke about her six brain injuries and her struggles with the resulting symptoms and recovery process. Her journey stands as a testament to why the CBI Program exists and the importance of continued efforts to advance brain injury research.

The Chronic Brain Injury Program gives a big thank you to the trainees, faculty, and staff that participated in our 2023 Research Day. Ten poster awards were distributed based on the following categories: discovery, assessment, recovery, and systems. For the discovery category, congratulations to undergraduate Jenna McCloskey (Mentor: Cole Vonder Haar, PhD), graduate student Christopher Cotter (Mentor: Olga Kokiko-Cochran, PhD), and postdoc Damon DiSabato, PhD (Mentor: Dana McTigue, PhD). For the assessment category, congratulations to undergraduate Michael Melville (Mentor: Scott Hayes, PhD) and graduate student Ann Lee (Mentor: Scott Hayes, PhD). For the recovery category, congratulations to undergraduate Arianna Carfora (Mentor: Shahid Nimjee, MD, PhD) and research scientist Angela Filous (Mentor: Jan Schwab, MD, PhD). Finally, for the systems category, congratulations to undergraduate Olivia VonDeylen (Mentor: Ginger Yang, PhD, MPH), graduate student Jenna Rajczyk (Mentor: Jeffrey Wing, PhD), and research staff member Jessica Quach (Mentor: Hudson Taylor, PhD). In addition, congratulations to Andrea Tesdeschi, PhD and his lab for the People's Choice Research Image of the Year.

We are grateful for another year of the program's success, which wouldn't be possible without our faculty and staff. CBI Research Day 2024 will be here before we know it, and we look forward to seeing what new research developments the coming year brings!

*CBI Research Day 2023 was sponsored by the student organization Buckeyes Raising Awareness in Neuroscience (BRAIN), as well as the Neuroscience Graduate Program, the School of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences, the College of Social Work, the College of Medicine, the Foods for Health Research Initiative (FFH), Wexner Medical Center, and Nationwide Children's Hospital.

March 23-24, 2023

Ohio Union & Biomedical Research Tower

Join researchers, clinicians, and trainees to share, discuss, and connect at the annual CBI Research Day. This annual scientific symposium for brain injury research features invited and local speakers, poster presentations, and updates on program and pilot projects. We invite all Ohio State faculty, staff, and students to attend. CME credits are available.

Registration is open through March 10, 2023. See our abstract booklet for details on poster presentations and selected trainee talks.

Please use the links below or scroll down to learn more. We look forward to seeing you at CBI Research Day - #CBIRD23!