Kanagaraj Palsamy, PhD

Kanagaraj Palsamy, PhD (Dr.rer.nat), is a Research Investigator in the Department of Neurology at the University of Michigan Medical School. Dr. Palsamy began as a Postdoctoral fellow at the University of Michigan in 2015. He was promoted to the Research Investigator position in 2021.

Dr. Palsamy earned a Bachelor of Sciences in Agricultural sciences and Master of Science in Biotechnology from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU). He received his doctoral degree in Developmental biochemistry from Georg August University of Göttingen, Germany in 2015 in disease modeling in zebrafish. He completed his postdoctoral training in the lab of Dr. Jack Parent at the University of Michigan in 2021 studying the mechanisms of brain injury, neuroinflammation, brain regeneration and epilepsy disease modeling in zebrafish.

Palsamy’s current research focuses on understanding injury/TBI induced brain regeneration and how immune cells, especially microglia regulate inflammation and inflammation resolution during regeneration. He is also studying epilepsy disease using the zebrafish model for understanding the pathology and for drug screening, aiming to find the differential regulation that promotes regeneration in zebrafish compared to mammalian brain to develop a strategy to improve brain regeneration in human brain. He uses genetic mutants, CRISPR knock-ins, imaging, and behavioral techniques to understand the mechanisms behind regeneration and epilepsy. Dr. Palsamy’s long-term goal is to find the molecules and mechanisms that can promote brain regeneration/repair in humans.

Dr. Peltier’s research deals with functional MRI data acquisition and analysis. Current areas of interest include: 1) resting-state functional connectivity; 2) real-time fMRI; 3) multivariate and data-driven analysis techniques; and 4) multimodal imaging.

Dr. Ward is a Professor in the Departments of Emergency Medicine and Biomedical Engineering at the University of Michigan. Dr. Ward’s passion is in creating programs that encourage true integration across the disciplines of medicine, engineering, data sciences, and entrepreneurship that accelerate discovery to true patient impact. In addition to founding the Max Harry Weil Institute for Critical Care Research and Innovation, he led the design and implementation of Michigan Medicine’s Fast Forward Medical Innovation program and served as its inaugural Executive Director from 2013-2018.

Dr. Wiens is an associate professor with the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, College of Engineering. Her research interests include artificial intelligence, machine learning, and computational healthcare.

Dr. Eckner received his M.D. degree from Case Western Reserve University and his M.S. degree from the University of Michigan in Clinical Research Design and Statistical Analysis. His research addresses mild traumatic brain injury in athletes, including concussion prevention through neck strengthening exercise, concussion biomechanics, determining the role of reaction time testing in concussion assessment, long term effects of concussion on neurological health, as well as, in the management and rehabilitation of athletes.

Dr. Eckner is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Director of Clinical Research, Michigan NeuroSport and PM&R Concussion Programs, and Director of the PM&R Resident Research Program, in addition to the Michigan Concussion Center’s Research Associate Director.

Amanda Esquivel obtained her PhD from Wayne State University in Biomedical Engineering. She is currently an Associate Professor in Bioengineering at University of Michigan – Dearborn in the department of Mechanical Engineering. Her research focuses on head injuries and measuring head acceleration in male and female athletes, validating wearable devices for on-field measurement, and protective equipment. She was recently awarded a Major Research Instrumentation by the National Science Foundation to acquire a linear impactor system to study injury mechanisms and severity.

Dr. Hu’s research focuses on injury biomechanics, parametric human modeling, and optimization of safety designs by a multidisciplinary approach combining experimental, numerical, and epidemiological procedures. He is an author of 120+ peer-reviewed journal and conference papers and has received multiple awards on developing parametric human models representing a diverse population for injury prevention. Dr. Hu’s research has been funded by a variety of government and industry funding agencies, including NHTSA, NSF, NIJ, DOD, and the auto industry. These projects have resulted in a wide range of scientific publications that are impacting the state-of-the-art tools for injury assessment.

Dr. Mark E. Oppenlander is a board-certified neurosurgeon at the University of Michigan Departments of Neurological Surgery and Orthopaedic Surgery. He specializes in complex spinal operations, including spinal deformity, scoliosis, spinal tumors, thoracic disc disease, craniovertebral junction surgery, robotics in neurosurgery, and trauma. Dr. Oppenlander has published numerous peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and abstracts, and participated in conferences at the state, national, and international level with multiple invited presentations. He serves as faculty for the AANS Coding and Reimbursement Committee and is an Unaffiliated Neurotrauma Consultant for the National Football League (NFL).

Dr. Jacob R. Joseph is a neurosurgeon specializing in the treatment and management of traumatic brain and spine injuries. He attended the University of Texas at Austin, where he graduated with Highest Honors. He then earned M.D. degree from Baylor College of Medicine. He went on to complete a seven-year neurosurgical residency at the University of Michigan. Dr. Joseph then completed additional training in Neurotrauma and Complex Spinal Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh under the tutelage of Dr. David Okonkwo. His research focuses on the biomechanics, diagnosis, and management of brain and spine injuries.

Dr. Andrea Almeida is Co-Director of the Michigan NeuroSport Program and an Associate Professor in Neurology. After completing a Neurology residency at Tulane University, she came to the University of Michigan to serve as the first Sports Neurology fellow for the Department of Neurology. Dr. Almeida specializes in Sports Neurology with an emphasis on the treatment of neurologic injuries in athletes, particularly concussion. She also serves as a team physician and consultant for Eastern Michigan University, University of Michigan, and USA Hockey.

Dr. Almeida is the Michigan Concussion Center’s Clinical Associate Director and a member of its Executive Committee.