Personnel Information – PRECEDE Biomarkers Laboratory

Dr. Gill is an expert in fluid biomarkers related to brain injuries, including those of neuronal inflammation being examined within this proposed study. Specifically, she has linked chronic symptoms following traumatic brain injuries (TBI), within cohorts of athletes and Veterans in her role as a co-director of the CENC-LIMBIC biomarker core, as well as in active-duty service members, and civilians. These studies utilize unique methods in her laboratory that allow for the examination of mechanisms from brain injuries that are linked to neuroimaging findings. This project directly builds off of Dr. Gill’s expertise within LIMBIC-CENC, as well as more recently in the data harmonization of TRACTS and also the 15-year Study directed by Dr. French. In these roles, she is able to direct activities in the proposed study. Further, Dr. Gill is a highly regarded collaborator, requiring skills and leadership, such as those that are requisite for the proposed study. Recently, Dr. Gill transitioned to Johns Hopkins University and a Bloomberg Distinguished Professor directing a laboratory focused on biomarkers of TBIs and neuroinflammatory processes. She has a state-of-the-art laboratory that allows for examination of central activities through exosomes as well as other methods, as well as a team of staff and fellows who are experts in these assay methods, analytics and clinical translation of findings. A key aspect of Dr. Gill’s program of research is to link blood biomarkers to neuroimaging findings, to become more specific in the pathological changes that occur following a brain injury within the chronic state of TBIs. Thus, the extension of these studies to examine cardiovascular risks exemplifies the extension of current clinical research data with novel methods to improve the health and well-being of service members and veterans.

Chelsea has been working with fluid biomarkers related to brain injuries, including those of neuronal inflammation being examined within various studies for over five years. As a laboratory director, she has developed standard operating procedures, adapted protocols, and streamlined efficient work flow to ensure proper data production and publication of study findings.  Chelsea joined John’s Hopkins University recently to aid in directing a laboratory focused on biomarkers of TBIs and neuroinflammatory processes. Dr. Gill and Chelsea Wagner are developing a state-of-the-art laboratory that allows for examination of central inflammation through biomarker discovery, miRNAs, exosomes, as well as other methods, and evolving a team of staff and fellows who are experts in these assay methods, analytics and clinical translation of findings.  Chelsea’s laboratory management, organization, protocol development, instrument knowledge, and assay experience will be essential to the proper flow of stages during the study from start to finish.

Carina Martin got her start as a postbaccalaureate fellow at the National Institute of Nursing Research in 2019. Since then, she has been working under Dr. Jessica Gill in the field of biomarker discovery. She assists with grant writing, regulatory tasks, research coordination and database development for the team and is very passionate about PTSD.

Dr. Edwards is research associate faculty focused on designing genomic and proteomic biomarker studies to elucidate pathways underlying traumatic brain injury recovery trajectories. Dr. Edwards has a special interest in improving patient outcomes having served the community as a neurotrauma intensive care nurse. Her long-term research goals include the development of clinical translational studies to improve symptoms and clinical outcomes in those with traumatic brain injury. Dr. Edwards completed her PhD in Healthcare Genetics from Clemson University after completing her pre-doctoral fellowship with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Graduate Partnership Program where she completed her dissertation research. She completed her post-doctoral fellowship at the NIH with an emphasis on proteomic and genomic biomarker discovery in military and veteran TBI populations.”

Lea Fortuno-Miranda is a Sr Research Assistant in Dr. Gill’s laboratory. She performs assays in our state-of-the art equipment to determine levels of neuroinflammatory proteins and to discover novel TBI biomarkers in brain-injured patients, with the ultimate goal of advancing diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for TBI. She also generates databases to organize and analyze data to present findings for grant proposals and publications. Additionally, she optimizes SOPs and assists in the day-to-day operations of the lab to ensure a smooth and efficient workflow. In her spare time, she likes to go shopping with her daughters and collect books, which she hopes to one day read.

Joseph Yun combines his knowledge in biomedical research with latest developments in AI to push boundaries of scientific discovery. His experiences range from proteomic data analysis of identifying protein biomarkers for traumatic brain injuries to developing AI-driven diagnostic tools. His skill sets include multi-omics data analysis, pathway mapping, and the implementation of neural networks and transformers to enhance data-driven medical insights.