Core team at The University of Sydney
Professor Andrew Gardner is the Chief Investigator of the Former Athlete Brain Health Research Program (FABHRP). He is a clinical neuropsychologist with a particular interest in concussion that occur in sport. Through his initial clinical career in a neuropsychiatry service engaged in the differential diagnosis of memory disorders and dementia in patients with complex comorbidities, he developed his interest in understanding the long term brain health of former athletes.
Dr Lauren Fortington leads the epidemiology (data and methods) arm of the FABHRP. Her work focuses on how we define variables – what counts as an “outcome” (like a health issue) or an “exposure” (like a concussion) – and how we make sure the conclusions we draw are sound.
Mr Oliver Smith is the Research Program Coordinator and a PhD scholar. He runs the day-to-day operations of the study, ensuring governance and data are properly managed. He is completing a PhD on how sports participation affects long-term brain aging.
Mr Campbell Thomson is a Research Assistant on the study. He studied psychology and also coaches rugby at a high level. He helps participants navigate the program and conducts the clinical assessments of memory and cognition.
We work with a large team of people from Australia and around the world, who bring world class complementary and specialised skills, including:
Professor Grant Iverson a clinical neuropsychologist at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, USA.
Dr Josh McGeown a neuroscientist at Matai in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Associate Professor Claire Shepherd is a neuroscientist and Director of the Sydney Brain Bank at Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA).
Associate Professor Doug Terry a Neuropsychologist at Vanderbilt University in Tennessee, USA.
Professor Chris Levi is a neurologist at Ramsey Health and the University of Newcastle, Australia.
Professor Frances Kay is a psychologist and Director of the Hunter Medical Research Institute in NSW, Australia.
Professor Peter Schofield is a behavioural neurologist and Director of the Neuropsychiatry Service at Hunter New England Health, NSW, Australia.
Professor Peter Stanwell, is a medical imaging scientist at the University of Newcastle, Australia.