The University of Michigan Concussion Center is proud to announce Elizabeth Metzger, doctoral student in the U-M School of Public Health’s Department of Epidemiology, as the inaugural recipient of the Zatkoff Graduate Student Fellowship for Concussion Research. This newly established fellowship supports outstanding doctoral students whose work advances the science and understanding of concussion and brain injury, with the goal of improving outcomes for affected individuals and communities.

Elizabeth brings more than a decade of experience in military health research, as well as the personal perspective of a military spouse. Her research centers on an increasingly critical area of study: the impact of repeated low-level blast exposures (rLLBE) on the brain health of U.S. Service Members. These exposures—common in training activities such as breaching or while shooting sniper rifles—often do not result in immediate, diagnosable injury, but growing evidence suggests they may cause significant neurological effects over time.

Elizabeth’s doctoral research integrates large-scale data collection on various types of rLLBE and their associated acute neurological effects; qualitative interviews capturing lived experiences across a lifetime of exposure; and assessments of long-term health impacts specifically when rLLBE occurs in combination with traumatic brain injuries (TBI). Ultimately, her work uses epidemiologic methods to explore how rLLBE contributes to cognitive changes, mental and physical health symptoms, and lasting consequences in military populations. Her research seeks to address key knowledge gaps in the field—bringing greater clarity to the hidden toll of these exposures and informing strategies for prevention, diagnosis, and care.

Her motivation for this work is both professional and deeply personal. Over the years, she has witnessed subtle but concerning changes in those closest to her—conversations where details were easily forgotten, or words seemed just out of reach. These patterns, repeated across her significant other, close friends, and family members with military backgrounds, revealed a sobering reality: the toll of military service and repeated exposure to blasts can quietly surface in the cognitive and neurological health of those who have spent years in and preparing for combat. It is this deeply felt experience that drives her commitment to better understand and address the long-term effects of blast exposure on brain health. 

“When I began conducting research with military populations, I felt a profound sense of purpose. My work has always centered on neuroscience and psychology, but it wasn’t until I engaged with these communities that I truly understood my calling. Witnessing the complex effects of military service on the people in my life made it clear that I was meant to study unique military exposures—such as rLLBE—and their impact on the mental and physical health of those who serve. Now, as a PhD student, I’m excited to be immersed in learning how to apply epidemiologic methods to make meaningful contributions in this field, supported by a multidisciplinary community,” said Metzger.

These everyday interactions, repeated across military families and communities, underscore the urgency of Elizabeth’s work. Through her academic training at the University of Michigan and ongoing collaborations with military treatment facilities and Department of Defense research partners, she aims to become an Independent Investigator focused on brain injury in military populations.

“Throughout her years of service in military research, Elizabeth assumed the pivotal role of liaison between high-ranking military leadership, on-site investigators and academic partners. Elizabeth’s ability to bridge the gap between military leadership and academic researchers contributed significantly to the success of various studies, demonstrating her leadership and communication prowess,” said Douglas Wiebe, PhD, Professor of Epidemiology at the U-M School of Public Health, who is also Elizabeth’s faculty advisor. 

The Zatkoff Fellowship will help support Elizabeth’s continued research and professional development as she pursues a career dedicated to improving the health and well-being of those who serve. We are deeply grateful to the Zatkoff family for their generosity and vision in establishing this fellowship, and we look forward to the important contributions Elizabeth will make to the field of concussion research and beyond.
“We had a competitive application pool, but Elizabeth’s training, experience and commitment to military service members made her stand out.  I couldn’t be more pleased to provide this support to her as our inaugural Zatkoff Graduate Student Fellowship for Concussion Research,” said Dr. Steve Broglio, Director of U-M Concussion Center.