A growing map of the clinicians, scientists and programme leaders shaping how the world understands blast overpressure, traumatic brain injury and warfighter brain health.
Inclusion here documents the field. It is not an endorsement. Where Vigil has engaged directly, the entry is tagged. Suggest an addition via the contact form.
Director, DoD/USU Brain Tissue Repository — Uniformed Services University
Pioneered post-mortem neuropathology of blast-exposed service members. His team identified the distinctive interface astroglial scarring pattern that now anchors the case for blast as a discrete brain injury.
Senior Scientist, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR)
Three decades quantifying low-level blast overpressure exposure in breachers, snipers and heavy weapons crews. His sensor and dosimetry work underpins much of the modern exposure-tracking field.
Lead investigator, Blast Exposure Threshold Study (BETS)
Building the first large-scale human study to establish defensible exposure thresholds for repeated low-level blast across operational populations.
Co-investigators, Salisbury VA blast research programme
Linked cumulative blast exposure to psychiatric and somatic symptom burden in post-9/11 veterans, and led the PNAS imaging study in active-duty US Special Operations Forces.
Research neuropsychologist, Salisbury VA Healthcare System; Wake Forest School of Medicine
Leads the Salisbury VA's Mid-Atlantic MIRECC blast exposure programme, developing the Salisbury Blast Interview and quantifying how cumulative low-level blast shapes cognition, mental health and post-deployment symptom burden in post-9/11 veterans.
Research Scientist, VA Puget Sound — SOF Bridges programme
Pairs animal and veteran data to show repeated blast produces lasting cerebellar dysfunction. Drives the SOF Bridges programme connecting active-duty SOF brain health to translational science.
Founding Director, Marcus Institute for Brain Health (MIBH), University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
Following his role as inaugural Director of NICoE (2012–2017), Professor James Kelly opened MIBH at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, building the model for intensive, multidisciplinary brain injury care for service members and veterans.
Neurophysiologist; founder, Coruna Medical
Works at the front edge of psychedelic-assisted therapy for veterans with traumatic brain injury and treatment-resistant psychiatric symptoms.
CEO, Invisible Wound
Leads Invisible Wound, advancing recognition, care pathways and advocacy for service members and veterans living with blast-related brain injury.
Director, Australian Veterans Brain Bank
Established the first dedicated brain bank for Australian veterans, building the tissue and clinical foundation for local research on military-related neurodegeneration.
Consultant Neurologist, UK Ministry of Defence
Clinical lead on UK military brain health, translating emerging blast and TBI evidence into Defence policy, occupational standards and care pathways.
Senior Research Fellow, Curtin University & Perron Institute
Australian TBI biomarker researcher working on the blood-based tools needed to detect, monitor and stratify mild and repetitive brain injury.
Surgeon General, New Zealand Defence Force
Senior military medical leadership advancing brain health and occupational injury surveillance across the NZDF, including the legacy of the New Zealand Breacher Study.
Founder, BAAM 360
Building BAAM 360 to bring brain health assessment and monitoring into the hands of operators, units and clinicians outside large research centres.
This list grows. Individual profiles with full bodies of work will follow as the data is collated.
