We have a great team that works hard to improve the lives of children and adults with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Hover over the photos below to learn more about the faculty and staff involved in CBIRT’s activities and research projects.
Meet the Faculty and Staff
Melissa McCart, EdD, was appointed CBIRT director in 2023. Melissa received her doctorate in Educational Methodology, Policy and Leadership, her M.S. in behavioral disabilities and her administrator's licenses from the University of Oregon. Her interests include educational policy and law, educator...
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Dr. Megan Kunze is an Assistant Research Professor at the Center on Brain Injury Research and Training, Department of Psychology at the University of Oregon. Within the Department of Special Education and Clinical Sciences, she lectures and supervises graduate students in Early Intervention and Earl...
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Christina Karns, Ph.D., received her doctorate in Neuroscience from the University of California, Berkeley. At the University of Oregon, she has directed neuroimaging projects with children, teens, and adults with and without disability to clarify how attention and self-regulation support healthy ne...
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Patricia Kay Reyna, EdD received her doctorate in Education, Organizational Leadership from Grand Canyon University, her MA in Entrepreneurship from Western Carolina University, and her MA in Christian Studies with an Emphasis in Christian Leadership from Grand Canyon University. Her research intere...
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Rosie graduated from the University of Wales in 2004 and has an extensive professional background in the development and management of events, software products and projects. Rosie has experience working for a variety of non-profit organizations, along with companies focused on continued professiona...
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Dane Ramshaw boasts 20+ years as an educational technologist and full-stack developer, crafting tools for K12, higher ed, and healthcare. Formerly a K12 teacher, he's now a 10-year faculty member at the University of Oregon and CTO for the College of Education. Serving as the technical lead in major...
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Kandyce Kelley received her BS in Psychology from the University of Oregon. She has worked in cognitive neuroscience, developmental psychology, and early childhood intervention research for 8 years and is currently coordinating the development of the TOTS Project at CBIRT.
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Kieran Sanders is a seasoned Developer and Programmer with a educational technology. Bringing together a unique blend of expertise, Kieran has a rich background in early years and special education. This combination of technical skills and passion for education empowers him to craft technological so...
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Melaney Grenz received her Master’s Degree in Communication Disorders from the University of Oregon. Melaney has worked in Oregon Public Schools for the past 29 years as a Speech-Language Pathologist. She also has a private practice. Melaney joined the Oregon TBI Team in 1999. In 2019, Melaney becam...
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David Kracke, JD, has been a member of the Oregon State Bar since 1990. He has an extensive background working with private and public stakeholder groups in the realm of legislative and policy initiatives. He is a recognized legislative and policy expert in issues surrounding brain injury. David ser...
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Jody Slocumb received her BA in Journalism and Communication from the University of Oregon. She had eight years of experience on a wide range of social science research projects before coming to CBIRT in 2013. Jody has primary responsibility for data management and subject recruitment....
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Laurie Ehlhardt Powell, PhD, is a Research Associate Professor at CBIRT and retired speech-language pathologist. Laurie specialized in cognitive rehabilitation for adults with mild TBI/concussion. She has directed NIH and NIDILRR-funded projects targeting the systematic instruction of assistive tech...
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Ann Glang, PhD, is a Research Professor and past Director of CBIRT (1994-2022). Since 1987, she has secured and directed or co-directed over 30 federally funded research projects focused on individuals with TBI, including both descriptive and intervention research projects. Her research interests in...
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Rebecca Simones is an educator with a profound belief in the transformative power of education. She holds the firm conviction that education serves as the cornerstone for individual growth and has dedicated the past seven years to creating inclusive and equitable classrooms for students with diverse...
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Matthew is a recent graduate from the University of Oregon with a BS in Biology and Psychology. Since 2017, Matthew has worked at CBIRT as a Research Assistant on various projects with their main role being on the Oregon TBI Team. Matt is interested in the ontological process of TBI in at-risk youth...
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Megan received her BA in Psychology from Willamette University. Prior to coming to CBIRT she spent 8 years researching early childhood development with at-risk families. She currently brings her organization, coordination, and logistic expertise to many projects at CBIRT.
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Douglas Gomez, PhD. Doug is currently an Assistant Research Professor working at the Center on Brain Injury Research & Training (CBIRT). His interests primarily focus on methods of qualitative analysis, particularly in the service of benefiting traditionally underserved populations. At CBIR...
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Laura has worked at CBIRT since 1999 on a variety of information management, educational research, and service-related projects. She has an MLIS from the University of Missouri. Laura provides comprehensive reference and information management services to Principal Investigators (PIs) and project st...
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