Marie VanTubbergen, PhD

Dr. Van Tubbergen joined the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation after completing a post-doctoral fellowship and a period of research projects in this same department. Dr. Van Tubbergen completed her graduate training at Central Michigan University in Clinical Psychology and completed her internship training at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst in the Counseling and Assessment center. Clinical interests focus on the ongoing development and growth of the Pediatric NeuroRehabilitation Program with an emphasis on the outpatient, multi-disciplinary rehabilitation team. Previous research includes the development of adapted techniques and accessible measures for use in neuropsychological assessment. Current interests include development of a concussion management clinic to examine treatment and intervention strategies targeting prolonged post-concussive symptoms. She provides supervision to fellows on the inpatient unit and on intervention rotations through the neurorehabilitation day treatment program.

Chris Williams is an Associate Athletic Trainer for the Men’s Basketball and Men’s Golf with the U-M Athletics Department. He joined Michigan Athletics in 2021 and has a professional interest in functional rehabilitation and injury prevention strategies. Chris has a Master’s of Education from North Carolina State University and a Bachelor’s of Science of Athletic Training. Chris enjoys cooking, traveling, reading, and spending time with friends and family.

Marco is currently a clinical research coordinator for Oncology Phase 1 clinical trials at Michigan Medicine. He is a former college football player that is applying to medical school with interests in concussion research and care. Through his experience as a college athlete, he is interested in learning more about the efforts put forth towards research and improving patient outcomes associated with traumatic brain injuries. In his hometown of Southeast Michigan, Marco serves as a medical assistant volunteer for professional MMA and Boxing fights to provide ringside care to fighters who suffer traumatic injuries like concussions.

Dr. Carol Persad is a Clinical Professor in Psychiatry with an Adjunct Professor appointment in Psychology. She is the Director of the Neuropsychology Program in the Department of Psychiatry and the Director of the University Center for Language and Literacy in the Mary A. Rackham Institute.

Dr. Persad trained as a Clinical Psychologist with a specialization in Neuropsychology and has focused both her clinical and research work on understanding cognitive changes that are associated with neurological disorders across the lifespan and the underlying neural pathways. Dr. Persad’s research interests focus more specifically on cognitive changes associated with aging and neurodegenerative disorders. She is currently a co-investigator on a number of grants funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and Dr. Persad has published numerous scientific papers and given dozens of conference presentations. In addition, she is involved in the training of Postdoctoral Fellows in Neuropsychology, as well as interns, practicum students, and undergraduates in both clinical placements and research projects.

Brian joined the Michigan Athletics in 2014 as an athletic trainer for the softball and dance teams. Prior to joining Michigan, he had extensive experience as an athletic trainer with various organizations, including the National Center for Sports Medicine, the University of Miami, the Washington Redskins Football Club, and the University of Maryland. His professional interests are in aquatic therapy, local intrinsic core and lumbopelvic stability, and research.

Andrea L. Aagesen is a clinical instructor in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department at the University of Michigan. Dr. Aagesen earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in athletic training at Purdue University while competing on the varsity golf team. She earned her Masters of Science degree at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, and her medical degree at Midwestern University, Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, in Downers Grove, Illinois. She completed an internship at Botsford Hospital in Farmington Hills, Michigan. She completed her residency training in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation followed by a sports medicine fellowship through the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Michigan. Dr. Aagesen is a member of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, American Medical Society for Sports Medicine, and American College of Sports Medicine. Dr. Aagesen provides sports medicine and rehabilitation services at the Burlington Office Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinic and provides concussion management at the Michigan NeuroSport Program located in Domino’s Farms. Dr. Aagesen serves as a team physician for Eastern Michigan University. She is board certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and has a Certificate of Added Qualification in Sports Medicine. Dr. Aagesen is also a team physician for Eastern Michigan and University of Michigan.

Dr. Gehring is a Professor Emeritus of Psychology with research interests in cognitive science, neuroscience, and event-related brain potentials. You can learn more about Dr. Gehring and his scholarly work at https://www.billgehring.com/

Dr. Farnsworth was a fellow with NeuroSport before joining the Neurology Center of Southern California as a neurologist. He specializes in sports neurology. He has a clinical interest in neurologic diseases seen in athletes, including concussion, TBI, and post-concussion syndrome.

Dr. Rigby is a postdoctoral neuropsychology resident at the University of Michigan. Her primary research interest involves the way in which higher-level brain functions, like cognitive control/executive function, can be influenced and perturbed by pathology, normal aging, and one’s external environment.

Steve joined Michigan Athletics as an associate athletic trainer in 2019, supporting the football program. His professional interests include foot and ankle instability and athletic training documentation.