39th Annual National Neurotrauma Symposium - Evolution of Neurotrauma Research, Past, Present and Future

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PROJECT SUMMARY Neurotrauma is the largest cause of death and disability for persons under the age of 45 in the world and the societal cost of the resulting disability exceeds $76 billion per year in the U.S.. The National Neurotrauma Society (NNS) Symposium is the premier forum for exchanging information on the latest research findings and clinical advances in the fields of both traumatic brain injury (TBI) and spinal cord injury (SCI). The 39th Annual National Neurotrauma Symposium will held June 26-29, 2022, at the Westin Peachtree Hotel in downtown Atlanta, GA. Previous NIH funding has been invaluable for supporting our scientific programs and for enhancing our ability to involve trainees and underrepresented groups (URG), and to enhance their careers. The symposium is again co-hosted by the NNS and the AANS/CNS Joint Section on Neurotrauma and Critical Care. The Scientific Program Committee is comprised of members of both societies to ensure that there is a breadth of coverage for both TBI and SCI, as well as committee representation of URG. Building upon decades of basic and clinical research, the meeting theme this year will be “The Evolution of Neurotrauma, Past, Present & Future”. The meeting will showcase the greatest achievements in the neurotrauma field and how these achievements have influenced emerging knowledge and tools to improve research and clinical care. The program committee has incorporated speakers and topics that have not previously been emphasized in prior meetings and who represent URG. Topics include neutrophils and neuroimmunology, sleep and circadian rhythms, prognostication, and repair and regeneration among others. The Symposium will be held in Atlanta for the first time, allowing us to highlight the population and policy aspects of the field. The opening plenary session will be presented by scientists from the CDC on “The Evolving Role of Public Health in TBI Research”. The Advocacy Committee will be holding workshops to enhance communication across different neurotrauma silos, with organizational stakeholders and patient perspective presentations. This application seeks funding to provide travel support for 25 trainees (with 5 awards to URMs or attendees with disabilities). We also seek funding for childcare assistance, and to support sessions dedicated to trainee development and to increased diversity and inclusion within NNS. There will be a special lunch workshop hosted by our TEAM (Training, Education, and Mentoring) group on promoting diversity in neurotrauma research, with a goal of developing specific strategies for retaining trainees and junior faculty from URGs. In addition, we are also requesting support for a unique, new program for students from local Historical Back Colleges & Universities in Atlanta to attend key parts of the NNS Symposium, be paired with a NNS faculty mentor, and receive training to promote interest in careers in neurotrauma research.