Dr Ann McKee — Boston University CTE Centre (USA)

Role: Neuropathologist and senior research scientist
Institution: Boston University School of Medicine

What she’s known for:
Dr McKee is one of the most recognised figures in CTE research. She was among the first to identify CTE pathology in former American football players and has conducted some of the largest systematic studies linking repeated head impacts to neurodegenerative change.

Key Contributions:

• Led the Boston University CTE Centre, one of the largest brain banks studying CTE and related diseases.
• Co-authored the first staging criteria for CTE pathology based on severity.
• Her team’s 2017 JAMA study examined 202 donated brains, finding CTE in an overwhelming proportion of former athletes.
• Her work has expanded understanding of how CTE appears anatomically and clinically.

Dr Bennet Omalu — University of California, Davis (USA)

Role: Neuropathologist and forensic pathologist
Institution: University of California, Davis

What he’s known for:
Dr Omalu first brought CTE into global attention with his discovery of CTE in former NFL player Mike Webster. This work challenged long-held beliefs and sparked worldwide research and policy change.

Key Contributions:

• First described modern CTE pathology in an American football player.
• Authored foundational papers linking tau protein accumulation to repeated head trauma.
• His story was widely publicised through the major film Concussion, bringing public awareness to brain injury risks in sport.

Dr Robert Stern — Boston University CTE Centre (USA)

Role: Neurologist and neuropsychologist
Institution: Boston University School of Medicine

What he’s known for:
Dr Stern focuses on the clinical symptoms of CTE and how they relate to neuropathology. His work helps bridge the gap between brain changes seen at autopsy and symptoms experienced by living individuals.

Key Contributions:

• Research into cognitive and emotional symptoms associated with repetitive head injury.
• Works on criteria to help identify Traumatic Encephalopathy Syndrome (TES) during life.
• A key voice in understanding how clinical presentation aligns with pathology.

Dr Jesse Mez — Boston University CTE Centre (USA)

Role: Neurologist and clinical researcher
Institution: Boston University School of Medicine

What he’s known for:
Dr Mez leads research linking repetitive head impacts to long-term cognitive outcomes. He focuses on large cohort studies and risk factors for CTE and related disorders.

Key Contributions:

• Principal investigator on several major brain bank projects.
• Works on developing clinical diagnostic tools and biomarkers for early detection.

Dr Alan Pearce — Griffith University, Australia

Role: Senior researcher in concussion and sports neurology
Institution: Griffith University

What he’s known for:
Dr Alan Pearce is a leading researcher in sports concussion and brain injury, particularly in youth and community sport. His work focuses on understanding how concussions affect brain function over time and how recovery differs between individuals. He is also known for advocating evidence-informed, age-appropriate concussion management and safer return-to-play protocols.

Key Contributions:

• Conducts longitudinal studies tracking brain function following concussion.
• Researches neurophysiological changes using advanced brain imaging and electrophysiology.
• Contributes to public health discussions on concussion policy in sport.
• Advocates for improved education and safer concussion management in youth athletes.

Professor Willie Stewart — University of Glasgow (UK)

Role: Neuropathologist
Institution: University of Glasgow

What he’s known for:
Professor Willie Stewart is a neuropathologist recognised for his work in traumatic brain injury and CTE pathology in the UK. His research examines how repetitive head impacts affect brain structure and long-term neurological health, helping to refine how CTE is defined and identified.

Key Contributions:

Leads research into the neuropathology of CTE and repetitive head trauma.

Contributes to international consensus on diagnostic criteria and staging of CTE.

Investigates the long-term effects of concussion and contact sport participation.

Plays a key role in UK-based brain bank and post-mortem research studies.

Dr Annalise Eakin & Other Leaders in Sports Neurology

Across the world, neurologists specialising in sports concussion and brain injury are developing evidence-based protocols for diagnosis and management, including:

• Dr David Dodick (USA): Expert in concussion and headache management.
• Dr Barry Willer (USA): Researcher on rehabilitation after brain injury.
• Dr Michael Turner (Canada): Leader in sport concussion consensus research.

These researchers regularly contribute to international consensus statements and clinical guidelines, shaping how concussion is defined and managed globally.

These researchers often contribute to international consensus statements and clinical protocols that influence how concussion is defined and managed globally.

Major Research Organisations and Initiatives

• Boston University CTE Centre (USA) One of the world’s largest CTE research hubs with extensive brain bank resources and longitudinal studies.
• National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NIH, USA) Funding and coordinating research into biomarkers, clinical criteria, and mechanisms of brain injury, including the development of Traumatic Encephalopathy Syndrome (TES) criteria.
• U.S. Department of Defence (DoD) Conducts research on blast exposure, military TBI, and long-term effects of repetitive impacts.
• UK and European Research Groups Institutes such as University College London, Queen Mary University of London, University of Glasgow, and others are advancing imaging techniques, epidemiological studies, and rehabilitation research.
• International Brain Banks Brain banks, including the BU CTE Centre Brain Bank and Australian Brain Bank Network, allow researchers to correlate clinical histories with microscopic pathology — essential for understanding CTE.

What They Are Working On Now

🔬 Biomarkers & Diagnostic Tools

Research is underway to identify measurable indicators (in blood, cerebrospinal fluid, or imaging) that could someday diagnose CTE in living people.

🧠 Advanced Imaging

PET and MRI techniques are being refined to detect tau protein deposition and other structural brain changes associated with CTE.

⚕️ Clinical Criteria & TES

Efforts continue to validate Traumatic Encephalopathy Syndrome (TES) as a clinical tool to identify likely CTE in life.

🧑‍⚕️ Prevention & Management

Concussion research influences safety protocols, return-to-play guidelines, and rehabilitation strategies across sports and clinical settings.

🧬 Risk Factors & Genetics

Studies are exploring whether genetic or environmental factors affect susceptibility to long-term brain injury.

Why This Matters

While CTE has historically been confirmed only after death, research is rapidly moving toward tools and criteria that may one day allow earlier identification and intervention.

This work matters because:

• It informs safer sport practices
• It shapes public health policy
• It supports clinicians in managing head injury
• It improves outcomes for athletes, veterans, and others exposed to repetitive brain trauma
• The Future of Brain Injury Research

The fight against CTE and brain injury is a global effort. Collaboration — across continents, disciplines, and clinical settings — is driving the science forward.

Ultimately, the goal is to:

• Diagnose with confidence during life
• Understand who is most at risk
• Prevent injury before it begins
• Support recovery and long-term health

At Marshalling Brain Injuries Alliance, we follow this research closely because knowledge protects lives.

The more we understand, the better we can advocate for safer sport, informed clinical care, and policies that truly prioritise brain health and identity.