Dr. Jasmeet Hayes, Scarlet and Gray Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology and Director of the MINDSET Lab, has been awarded a $3 million grant from the National Institute of Health to continue her research on concussion and neurodegenerative disease. CCBBI recently connected with Dr. Hayes to learn more about the questions driving her research.

For a lay audience, tell us about your most recent research.
I study how concussion, traumatic experiences, and chronic stress affect memory and brain health as people age. We use brain scans, cognitive testing, and biological measures to understand why some people face greater difficulties over time while others remain resilient.

What sparked your interest in this area?
Working with veterans and athletes, I saw that people with similar injury histories could have very different experiences. That led me to ask how stress, trauma, and concussion interact—and why some people recover well while others continue to struggle.

What is something surprising or notable about your research people should know?
Many people recover from concussion or live through traumatic experiences and go on to do well. That resilience deserves as much attention as the difficulties some people face. My research also asks what helps people stay healthy over time—and how we can use that knowledge to better support those who struggle.

 What are the next big ideas to explore?
I’m excited to learn more about ways to enhance resilience following concussion and trauma, linking treatment with what we learn about risk. That means following brain changes over time, developing more individualized approaches to concussion care, and testing ways to improve resilience after trauma.

Read the news article about Dr. Hayes' grant award.