TeachAids, a nonprofit social venture leader in creating breakthrough software addressing persistent problems in health education around the world, announces today the launch of its new Institute for Brain Research and Innovation.
Using quantitative and qualitative research methods, the mission of this Institute will be to improve concussion reporting by implementing and evaluating innovative tools to enhance the knowledge of concussive symptoms, severity, and side-effects. The goal of this research will be to improve understanding of the factors responsible for concussion reporting for individuals across age groups and communities. The findings from the Institute will be broadly available to help inform global understanding of concussions, and will also be used to further develop and enhance the education-based interventions related to TeachAids and the CrashCourse concussion education programs.
Dr. Daniel Daneshvar M.D. Ph.D., a world-renowned researcher on the long-term effects of concussion and repetitive head impacts, including chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), has been named the Director of the Institute. Dr. Daneshvar completed his training at Stanford University and the Boston University CTE Center, and he is currently Faculty at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Daneshvar joined the CrashCourse team in 2017 as a Founding Scientific Advisor, and was part of a team responsible for ensuring the accuracy and efficacy of our education programs. As a result of these efforts, the CrashCourse programs are rapidly becoming the leader in concussion education, with partnerships involving USA Football, Pop Warner, American Youth Football and others. In addition, the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee’s National Sports Governing Bodies are promoting the use of CrashCourse Concussion Education amongst its many sports.
“We are fortunate to welcome Dr. Daneshvar as Director of our new Institute. His accomplishments and reputation are a perfect fit for this undertaking.” says Dr. Piya Sorcar, Founder and CEO of TeachAids. “As a former athlete, he is deeply passionate about promoting safety among youth, especially regarding head injuries.”
“It is a privilege to continue working with the TeachAids team, given their global leadership in education,” said Dr. Daneshvar. “By using the latest technology and scientific advances, the Institute of Brain Research and Innovation is uniquely positioned to make a global impact on the diagnosis and management of concussions.”
Contributing authors to the research include luminaries such as Dr. Christine Baugh, Assistant Professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine; Dr. Robert Cantu, Medical Director and Director of Clinical Research, Dr. Robert C. Cantu Concussion Center, Emerson Hospital; Dr. Jamshid Ghajar, Director of the Stanford Brain Performance Center; Dr. Shelley Goldman, Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Professor Emerita (Teaching), Graduate School of Education, Stanford University; Dr.
Gerald Grant, Division Chief of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine; Dr. Roy Pea, the David Jacks Professor of Education & Learning Sciences at Stanford University, School of Education, and Computer Science (courtesy); Dr. Lee Sanders, Division Chief of General Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine; Dr. Maya Yutsis, Team Neuropsychologist, San Francisco 49ers; Dr. Ross Zafonte, Earle P. and Ida S. Charlton Professor and Chairman of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Harvard Medical School, among others.