Neurorehabilitation Laboratory, September 2022, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Charlestown Docks. Left to right: Dr. Joseph Giacino, Lydia Borsi, Ally Sterling, Dr. Michael Bergin, Dr. Katherine Golden, Camden Waterhouse, Kelsey Goostrey, Dr. Yelena Bodien, Caitlin Rajala.

Advancing Scientific Understanding of Moderate to Severe Brain Injury

The Spaulding-Harvard Traumatic Brain Injury Model System (SH-TBIMS) is one of 16 centers in the nation selected by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) to receive federal funding for research on TBI for the 2017-2022 funding cycle. As a TBI Model System, the SH-TBIMS contributes data to the TBIMS National Database study, conducts a site-specific project, and leads and participates in multi-center module studies with other TBI Model System centers.

For further information about the Spaulding-Harvard TBI Model System and its research, dissemination, and clinical programs, click here.

The Spaulding-Harvard System, led by Dr. Joseph T. Giacino, was selected by the National Institute of Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) to receive federal funding as a TBIMS center. The TBIMS is a multi-center program that aims to monitor and improve long term outcomes for individuals with traumatic brain injury through enrollment in a national database, multi-center “module” projects, and single center studies. Spaulding has become a national leader in TBI research and rehabilitation under the Model Systems program as a result of excellent clinical care, research contributions, and educational efforts.

TBIMS research is responsible for almost 500 peer-reviewed publications and has facilitated the development of TBI medical care guidelines, comprehensive diagnostic procedures, rehabilitation approaches, and more. Within the 16 TBIMS centers throughout the nation, exceptional rehabilitation additionally serves to improve injury treatment and outcomes for future patients.

About the Spaulding-Harvard Traumatic Brain Injury Model System

The primary focus of the Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Neurorehabilitation Laboratory is to advance scientific understanding of moderate to severe brain injury and disorders of consciousness. Various projects within the lab specifically focus on novel assessments of consciousness and cognitive function, exploration of clinical interventions for brain injury recovery, and predictors of outcome and recovery for persons with brain injury.

If you are interested in obtaining more information about the Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Neurorehabilitation Lab, please contact Dr. Michael Bergin at (617) 952-6310 or mjbergin@partners.org.

If you are interested in obtaining information about consultation, evaluation and treatment services provided by Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital or members of the clinical staff, please contact the Admissions Department at (617) 952-5350.

What is a Model System?

Model Systems are networks of hospitals and research institutions across the United States that focus on tracking and improving outcomes of people with one of three types of injuries: burn injury, spinal cord injury, and traumatic brain injury. The Model Systems are funded by the NIDILRR, a component of the Administration for Community Living (ACL) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

  • Complete research on selected conditions (burns, spinal cord injuries, and traumatic brain injuries)
  • Disseminate research findings to the public
  • Educate patients and families
  • Uphold excellence in clinical care

Lab Staff

Dr. Giacino

Dr. Giacino

Lab Director

Joseph T. Giacino, PhD is Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Harvard Medical School (HMS). At Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital (SRH), he serves as Director of Rehabilitation Neuropsychology, the Disorders of Consciousness Program and the Neurorehabilitation Laboratory and is Co-Director of the Spaulding Rehabilitation Outcomes Center. He also holds appointments in the Department of Psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital, the Rehabilitation Sciences Doctoral Program at the MGH Institute of Health Professions and the HMS Center for Bioethics. His research is aimed at developing high-precision neurodiagnostic procedures, multidimensional clinical outcome assessment approaches and targeted therapeutic interventions for persons with severe acquired brain injury and disorders of consciousness. His teams have produced widely-recognized assessment tools such as the Coma Recovery Scale-Revised and identified the only available treatment (ie, amantadine hydrochloride) proven to accelerate the pace of recovery following severe TBI. He serves as Principal or Co-Principal Investigator on four federally-funded collaborative grants, including the Spaulding-Harvard Traumatic Brain Injury Model System (NIDILRR, 2012-2022), Transforming Research and Clinical Knowledge in TBI (NINDS and DoD, 2013-2025, Outcomes Core Co-Lead), TBI Endpoint Development (DoD, 2014-NCE 2022, Outcomes Core Co-Lead) and Central Thalamic Stimulation for Traumatic Brain Injury (NINDS, 2015-2022). He is a Past-President (2010-2011) of the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine (ACRM), Co-Chair of the NINDS TBI Common Data Element Steering Committee and a member of the International Initiative for Traumatic Brain Injury Research (InTBIR). He led the expert panels that developed the diagnostic criteria for the minimally conscious state (Aspen Workgroup, 2002), the 2018 Practice Guideline Update on Disorders of Consciousness (American Academy of Neurology-ACRM-NIDILRR) and the 2020 ACRM-NIDILRR Minimum Competency Recommendations for Programs that Provide Rehabilitation Services for Persons with Disorders of Consciousness. Dr. Giacino has published over 170 articles and book chapters and is the recipient of the ACRM Brain Injury Special Interest Group’s Lifetime Achievement Award, Brain Injury Association of America’s William Fields Caveness Award and the University of Texas Medical Branch’s Robert L. Moody Prize.

Yelena Bodien

Yelena Bodien

Research Scientist

Dr. Bodien completed her graduate work at the University of Wisconsin-Madison where her research focused on using multimodal brain imaging and transcranial magnetic stimulation to probe the underlying neurobiology of schizophrenia. She is currently a Research Scientist in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital and Department of Neurology at Massachusetts General Hospital. Dr. Bodien’s research activities include designing and validating standardized behavioral assessments of consciousness and investigating the utility of advanced neuroimaging paradigms for improving diagnosis and prognostic precision of disorders of consciousness.

Michael Bergin

Michael Bergin

Lab Manager

Dr. Bergin completed postdoctoral research at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Harvard University and graduate work at the University of Queensland in Australia where his research investigated the influence of pain on human movement. As Manager of the Neurorehabilitation Laboratory, Dr. Bergin is responsible for the day-to-day operations of all laboratory activities under the direction of Dr. Giacino. He is currently pursuing his MBA (part-time) in Health Sector Management at Questrom School of Business at Boston University.

Kimberly Erler, OT, PhD, HEC-C

Kimberly Erler, OT, PhD, HEC-C

Co-Investigator on the TBI-SPIRIT study

Current Positions:

  • Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, MGH Institute of Health Professions
  • Affiliate faculty, Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Neurotechnology and Neurorecovery
  • Clinical Ethicist, Massachusetts General Hospital

Previous Lab Position: Research Intern and Doctoral Candidate (2014-2017)

Caitlin Rajala, MS

Caitlin Rajala, MS

Research Coordinator

Caitlin Rajala is a Research Coordinator for the Traumatic Brain Injury Social Participation Initiation and Reintegration Tool (TBI-SPIRIT) and assists with the Resiliency after Acquired Brain Injury: Defining and Enhancing Biopsychosocial Function (I-RISE) study. Caitlin has an MS in Dance Science and Education from the University of Edinburgh Scotland and an MS in Kinesiology from the University of Massachusetts Amherst’s School of Public Health. Her prior research experience includes observational cohort and intervention studies related to physical activity and health behavior change, and Multiple Sclerosis research that aimed to identify changes in MS progression using proprioceptive measures. Her primary interests involve chronic illness management and adaptation in community and clinical settings.

Camden Waterhouse, BS

Camden Waterhouse, BS

Research Coordinator

Cammie coordinates the Traumatic Brain Injury Social Participation Initiation and Reintegration Tool (TBI-SPIRIT) study and assists on the Resiliency after Acquired Brain Injury: Defining and Enhancing Biopsychosocial Function (I-RISE) study within the Neurorehabilitation Laboratory. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Cognitive Behavioral Neuroscience at Simmons University with a minor in Jazz vocals. Prior to her work at Spaulding, Cammie was a research assistant at Boston Children’s Hospital’s Biobehavioral Pediatric Pain Laboratory. She was also funded by the Department of Defense and the National Science Foundation to conduct research on the genetic underpinnings of the dissociative subtype of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD-D). She co-founded the Neuroscience and Psychology Liaison at Simmons University. Her career interests span research and clinical disciplines, with a particular interest in the mind, brain, and body connection.

Ally Sterling, ScM, MBE

Ally Sterling, ScM, MBE

Research Coordinator

Ally Sterling coordinates recruitment and data collection for the Spaulding-Harvard Traumatic Brain Injury Model System study. She graduated with a dual BA in neuroscience from Columbia University and Talmud from The Jewish Theological Seminary of America, followed by an ScM in medical sciences from Brown University and a Master of Bioethics from Harvard Medical School. Prior to her current position at Spaulding, Ally worked on a capstone project on assessment of decision-making capacity in patients with acquired brain injuries. She is particularly interested in neuroethics, clinical ethics, and medical decision-making. In the future, Ally plans to attend medical school.

Kelsey Goostrey, MPH

Kelsey Goostrey, MPH

Research Coordinator

Kelsey Goostrey coordinates the TRACK-TBI network studies at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital. She graduated from the College of the Holy Cross in 2018 with a BA in Psychology, and completed her Masters in Public Health from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2021. Prior to her current position at Spaulding, Kelsey worked as a research coordinator at the University of Massachusetts Medical School in the Neuro-Trauma ICU. Kelsey is interested in prognostication, as well as the development and validation of prediction models. Her future plans are to pursue a career as a Data Scientist.

Lydia Borsi, BA, BS

Lydia Borsi, BA, BS

Research Coordinator

Lydia coordinates the Rehabilitation and COVID-19 Recovery (RECOVR) Study. She graduated from the University of Rochester in 2021 with a BS in Neuroscience and a BA with Research Honors in Psychology. Prior to her current position at Spaulding and as an undergraduate, Lydia worked as a Research Associate and Physician Assistant Liaison in the Strong Memorial Hospital Emergency Department and as a Research Assistant in the Internalizing Disorders and Emotional Adjustment Lab. She is interested in the socio-cultural factors that influence mental healthcare utilization, as well as the physical and psychological impact of severe COVID-19 illness. Lydia plans to attend medical school in the future.

Katherine Golden OTD, OTR/L

Katherine Golden OTD, OTR/L

PhD Student & Research Coordinator

Katherine Golden is currently completing her PhD in Rehabilitation Science at MGH Institute of Health Professions (IHP) with a research focus on optimizing rehabilitation outcomes following severe brain injury. She graduated from Boston College in 2018 with a BA in Biology and from MGH IHP in 2021 with her doctorate in occupational therapy. Katie first joined the Neurorehabilitation Lab in 2019 as a student research extern. She now serves as a part-time research coordinator assisting with data collection for the Spaulding-Harvard Traumatic Brain Injury Model System. With the assistance from her research mentors, Dr. Giacino and Dr. Bodien, Katie plans to continue her study of brain injury, rehabilitation outcome measurement, and clinician use of evidence-based practice to optimize the role of therapy in brain injury recovery.

Current Interns and Externs

MaryLourdes Andreu, BS candidate at the University of Miami

MaryLourdes Andreu, BS candidate at the University of Miami

Research Intern and Undergraduate Extern, (2020-present)

Current Position: Undergraduate Extern

MaryLourdes Andreu is an undergraduate student researcher in the Neurorehabilitation Laboratory and is a senior at the University of Miami pursuing a B.S. in Neuroscience with a minor in Chemistry. MaryLourdes has been with our lab for 2.5 years and has contributed to a variety of research projects. These include the Disorders of Consciousness (DoC) as a data abstractor and the TBI Model Systems by conducting Brief Test of Adult Cognition by Telephone (BTACT). Currently, she is a data collector for the Spaulding REhabilitation and COVid Recovery (RECOVR) Study, performing 3-, 6-, and 12-Month Follow-up Interviews. MaryLourdes also conducts TBI research for the past 4 years at The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis focused on human neural stem cells (hNSCs) treatment and pathophysiology of TBI. In the future, MaryLourdes is striving to attend medical school and to continue her involvement in research.

Kaitlyn Corey, OTD

Kaitlyn Corey, OTD

Graduate Intern (2021-present)

Current Position: Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at MGH Institute of Health Professionals

Kaitlyn is an Occupational Therapy Doctoral student with the MGH Institute of Health Professions. Prior to becoming a doctoral candidate, Kaitlyn studied neuroscience at Stonehill College, where she researched physiological stress responses in their EEG lab. In the past two years she has contributed to several other research projects, including a systematic review on preventing burnout for caregivers of stroke patients, and a scoping review on social participation for adults with traumatic brain injuries. She also contributed to the RECOVR study, which evaluated long-term sequalae of COVID-19 on severely impacted adults. In the future, Kaitlyn hopes to contribute to research on effective treatments for improving daily function for adults with brain injuries and to provide neurorehabilitation as an occupational therapist.

Sarah Jeudy, M.S. Candidate in Speech-Language Pathology (Expected 2023)

Sarah Jeudy, M.S. Candidate in Speech-Language Pathology (Expected 2023)

Northeastern University

Research Extern (2022-current)

Current Position: Post-graduate Extern

Paige Wikman, M.S. Candidate in Speech-Language Pathology (Expected 2023)

Paige Wikman, M.S. Candidate in Speech-Language Pathology (Expected 2023)

Northeastern University

Research Extern (2022-current)

Current Position: Post-graduate Extern

My name is Paige Wikman, I am originally from CT, but currently living in the Boston area. I am part of the SH-TBIMS team as a research intern. I am a graduate student studying speech pathology at Northeastern University. In the future, I plan to continue my research and provide specialized treatment to individuals with neurodegenerative diseases.

Lab Alumni

Abigail Waters, MS

Abigail Waters, MS

Research Coordinator

Abigail Waters is a graduate student researcher in the Neurorehabilitation Laboratory. She is currently a fifth year doctoral candidate in the Clinical Psychology program at Suffolk University, with the Clinical Neuroscience of Cognitive Control Laboratory. Abigail contributes to several projects related to moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury and disorders of consciousness. She is also completing her dissertation with TRACK-TBI data, which will investigate the white matter connectivity of predictive interoception coding networks in the brain, as predictors of recovery in mild TBI.

Srivatsan “Sri” Uchani, BA

Srivatsan “Sri” Uchani, BA

Research Coordinator (2019-2021)

Current Position: Neuropsychology Graduate Student, Hofstra University

Roy Chen, MS

Roy Chen, MS

Research Coordinator (2020-2021)

Current Position: Medical Student, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University

Amber Thomas, BS

Amber Thomas, BS

Research Coordinator (2018-2021)

Current Position: Neuropsychology Graduate Student, University of Iowa

Jenna Szostak, OTD, OTR/L

Jenna Szostak, OTD, OTR/L

Research Coordinator (2017-2020)

Current Position: Occupational Therapist, Encompass Health Braintree Rehabilitation Hospital, Massachusetts

Alice Barra, MA

Alice Barra, MA

Research Coordinator (2019)

Current Position: Graduate Student, Coma Science Group, University of Liege

Christopher Malone, PsyD

Christopher Malone, PsyD

Postdoctoral Fellow (2018-2019)

Current Position: Postdoctoral Research Associate, Central Institute of Mental Health (Germany)

Géraldine Martens, PhD

Géraldine Martens, PhD

Research Coordinator (2018)

Current Position: Scientific Coordinator, International Olympic Committee Research Center for Prevention or Injury and Protection of Athlete Health, CHU de Liege

Rebecca Nardulli, MA, CCC-SLP

Rebecca Nardulli, MA, CCC-SLP

Research Coordinator (2017-2019)

Current Position: Speech Language Therapist, Boston VA

Joseph Ostrow, BS

Joseph Ostrow, BS

Research Coordinator (2016-2018)

Current Position: Clinical Data Manager, Neurological Clinical Research Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital

Andrea Christoforou, PhD, MS

Andrea Christoforou, PhD, MS

Postdoctoral Fellow (2016-2018

Current Position: Physical Therapist, Spaulding Hospital Cambridge

Jamie Kaminski, BS

Jamie Kaminski, BS

Research Coordinator (2015-2017)

Current Position: Neuropsychology Graduate Student, University of Iowa

Sabrina Taylor, PhD, CCRP

Sabrina Taylor, PhD, CCRP

Neurorehabilitation Laboratory Manager (2014-2017)

Current Position: Head of Clinical Trials, MedRhythms, Inc. Portland, ME

Brendan Kelley, RN

Brendan Kelley, RN

Research Coordinator (2014-2017)

Current Position: Registered Nurse, NeuroICU, Massachusetts General Hospital

Cecilia Carlowicz BA, MPH

Cecilia Carlowicz BA, MPH

Research Coordinator (2013-2016)

Current Position: Clinical Research Program Manager, Cancer Precision Medicine at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

Thomas Quinn, MD

Thomas Quinn, MD

Research Coordinator (2014-2015)

Current Position: Clinical Sleep Medicine Fellow Physician, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Camille Chatelle, PhD

Camille Chatelle, PhD

Postdoctoral Fellow (2013 – 2015)

Current Position: Research Manager, Universite catholique de Louvain, Belgium

Allison LaRussa Stutt, BA, MPH

Allison LaRussa Stutt, BA, MPH

Research Coordinator (2013)

Current Position: Healthcare Data Analyst, Boston Children’s Hospital, Massachusetts

Jason Smith BA, ScM, PhD

Jason Smith BA, ScM, PhD

Research Coordinator (2013)

Current Position: Clinical Research Coordinator II, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital

Matthew Doiron, MA, MS

Matthew Doiron, MA, MS

Research Coordinator (2012-2014)

Current Position: Mobile Developer and Quality Assurance Analyst, Northgate Digital, Pennsylvania

Intern Alumni

Gabrielle Phillips, OTR/L, OTD, PCBIS

Gabrielle Phillips, OTR/L, OTD, PCBIS

Research Intern (2022)

Current Positions: Lead Occupational Therapist at St. Elizabeth’s inpatient geriatric psychiatric unit at Carney Hospital and per diem acute care OT at Parkland Medical Center

Larkin Devinne, OTD, OTR/L, CBIS

Larkin Devinne, OTD, OTR/L, CBIS

Research Intern (2022)

Current Position: Occupational Therapist, Ivy Street School Brookline, Massachusetts

Katlyn Weber, OTD

Katlyn Weber, OTD

Research Intern (2022)

Current Position: Occupational Therapy Neurorehabilitation Fellow, Mayo Clinic, Minnesota

Nicole Riepl, BS candidate

Nicole Riepl, BS candidate

Research Intern (2021-2022)

Current Position: Behavioral Neuroscience and Data Science at Northeastern University

Grace Bronstone, BA

Grace Bronstone, BA

Research Intern (2021)

Current Position: Student researcher, Bauer Lab, Wellesley College

Alyssa Taubert, OTD

Alyssa Taubert, OTD

Extern and Advanced Doctoral Experience (2018-2020)

Current Position: Inpatient Occupational Therapist, Acute Care, Massachusetts General Hospital

Kristen Sheau, OTD, OTR/L

Kristen Sheau, OTD, OTR/L

Extern and Advanced Doctoral Experience (2016-2019)

Current Position: Occupational Therapist, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital

William Sanders, BS

William Sanders, BS

Undergraduate Intern (2018)

Current Position: Medical student at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College

Nicole Court-Reuss, BA

Nicole Court-Reuss, BA

Research Intern (2017)

Current Position: Senior Analyst, Strategy & Analytics- Product Development, Royal Caribbean International, Florida

Allison Murray, BSN, RN

Allison Murray, BSN, RN

Research Intern (2017)

Current Position: Registered nurse, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Kathryn Burlile, BS

Kathryn Burlile, BS

Research Intern (2016-2017)

Current Position: Level 2 teacher at The New England Center for Children, Massachusetts

Rebecca Salamone, BA, BS

Rebecca Salamone, BA, BS

Research Intern (2016)

Current Position: Consultant, Trinity Life Sciences, Massachusetts

Margaret Flynn, OTD, OTR/L

Margaret Flynn, OTD, OTR/L

Undergraduate Intern (2015-2016)

Current Position: Group Coordinator- OTR/L, McLean Hospital, Massachusetts

Teresa Soriano, BS

Teresa Soriano, BS

Research Intern (2014)

Current Position: OTD Program, University of St. Augustine

Courtney Perrone, MS, CCC, SLP

Courtney Perrone, MS, CCC, SLP

Research Intern (2014)

Current Position: Speech Language Pathologist, Little Angels Center, Long Island, NY

Skip to content