Team

Dr. Heller received her doctoral degree in psychology from Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Germany, where she specialized in investigating the influence of endogenous and exogenous sex hormones on the brain throughout the menstrual cycle. Her postdoctoral research has focused on elucidating the factors underlying the elevated prevalence of certain psychiatric and neurological disorders in women, contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of these conditions. In the lab, Dr. Heller is leading the work focused on understanding the effects of concussion during pregnancy.

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Dr. Martinez is a PGY-2 resident specializing in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at NYU Langone Health. She holds a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Rowan University and graduated with highest honors from Emory University, majoring in neuroscience and behavioral biology. In the lab, she contributes to research focused on studying the epidemiological aspects of concussions during pregnancy.

Anya is a recent graduate from Rutgers University. During her time at Rutgers, she studied Cell Biology and Neuroscience, primarily engaging in developmental research. Her project focused on the effects of early-life antibiotic exposure on neurogenesis and behavior in genetically vulnerable mice. Now, she hopes to further her interests in neuroscience and medicine by exploring the long-term consequences of head injuries.

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Omar is a first-year medical student at the Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine. Before pursuing his medical studies, Omar spent two years as the Head Research Assistant at the Psychiatry Neuroimaging Laboratory at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience from Boston College and was recognized for his academic achievements with membership in Nu Rho Psi, a nationally recognized Honor Society. In the lab, Omar is working on neuroimaging projects relating to the the long-term consequences of repetitive head impacts in former American football players.

Laura is a current MPH Candidate at Columbia’s Mailman School of Public Health in the Department of Sociomedical Sciences. Laura uses her personal experience with concussions to advocate for patients and improve conditions for those experiencing barriers to healthcare and rehabilitation services. She is affiliated with the non-profit organization, The Concussion Alliance, where she brings awareness to an otherwise invisible injury and population. Laura received her B.A. in Cultural Anthropology at the University of Tennessee- Knoxville and continues to use the social sciences framework in her research. In the lab, Laura investigates the social determinants of health and health disparities in concussion care.

Nuha is a second-year medical student at Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Harlem, New York. Her academic journey began at Rutgers University, where she earned degrees in Genetics and Mathematics, and a minor in Spanish. Nuha's experiences working at her family's restaurant, personal experiences with TBI, and profound interest in brain injury deeply influenced her decision to pursue research in TBI. In the lab, she focuses her efforts on investigating demographics and healthcare disparities in concussion rehabilitation within the New York population.

Manuel Is a current undergraduate student at New York University majoring in Psychology and minoring in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Studies. Manuel has previously completed an internship at The University of Texas at San Antonio on a project researching Fetal brain vulnerability to SARS-CoV-2 infection. In the lab, Manuel is working on understanding the global gray matter and white matter changes in former American football players.