Congratulations to Peter Ferrazzano, Principal Investigator and professor of pediatrics, and co-Principal Investigators M. Alison Brooks, professor of orthopedics and sports medicine, Christian Franck, professor of mechanical engineering, and Traci Snedden, professor of nursing, who were recently awarded a $1 million grant from the University of Wisconsin Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Education and the UW Athletic Department for a two-year multidisciplinary pilot study. This pilot program seeks to combine the expertise of faculty across the UW campus and to create a foundation on which to build a comprehensive Center for Pediatric Acquired Brain Injury Research.
It is estimated that 10,000–15,000 children in Wisconsin are affected by acquired brain injury each year, which is the greatest source of morbidity and mortality in childhood. In this pilot project, researchers will address major gaps in our understanding of sports-related brain injuries in children. The program also aims to improve the diagnosis and management of sports-related brain injuries, with the long-term goal of expanding this research to study all types of acquired brain injury.