Researcher Spotlight: Katherine Giordano

The Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) announced the winners of its 2019 Brain Injury Research Fund competition in early 2020.

Katherine Giordano, University of Arizona College of Medicine, was awarded a dissertation grant of $5,000 for her project, “Precision identification and targeting of rod microglia in diffuse brain-injured cortex.”

Project Information

Project Title: Precision Identification and Targeting of Rod Microglia in Diffuse Brain-Injured Cortex

Neurological insults, such as traumatic brain injury, trigger inflammation signaling that go on to activate microglial cells. In this proposal, we investigate lesser-known microglia subtype, the rod microglia, to determine cell surface markers and gene expression unique to their occurrence after diffuse traumatic brain injury. These rod microglia markers could serve as biomarkers in the diagnosis and prognosis of injury and recovery from neurological injury.

What compelled you to pursue a career in research?

I grew up a fan of both science and sports. My interest in the brain was sparked by the ongoing conversation about brain injury in athletes. However, I quickly learned how many individuals outside of sports are impacted by brain injury and I wanted to help. As an undergraduate, I volunteered in a brain injury research laboratory and enjoyed the process of identifying a question and planning research to address it. Now, I am a Ph.D. student pursuing a career as a research scientist in order to better understand cellular mechanisms of brain injury and improve diagnosis, prognosis, and recovery for survivors. Also, I am leading projects related to the social impact of brain injury, specifically related to brain injury from domestic violence.

How has support from the Brain Injury Association of America helped you achieve your research goals?

My dissertation work investigates inflammation after brain injury. Our goal is to determine the diagnostic and prognostic potential of specific immune cells as biomarkers for injury and/or recovery. The Brain Injury Association of American Dissertation Award gives me financial support to extend training opportunities beyond the university and receive highly specialized training from leaders around the world in the fields of neurological injury and inflammation. Specifically, I have the opportunity to attend targeted workshops, conferences, and lab visits while at conferences. These training opportunities advance my current research, and expand my professional network as I work toward my long-term goal of becoming an independent investigator in the field of brain injury. The ultimate goal of our research is to shed light on specific aspects of brain injury and provide new information to direct services towards survivors.

What message do you have for donors supporting the Brain Injury Research Fund?

Thank you. Research goes beyond reading and discussing aspects of brain injury. Research is the pursuit of new knowledge to answer questions related to the health and welfare of brain injury survivors. By sponsoring graduate student education, I am part of the next generation of integrated researchers to advance our understanding and treatments of brain injury. The financial support opens doors to my collaborators and peers so that together we can improve lives.

Why is it important to support brain injury research?

Millions of individuals experience brain injury each year. And yet, only thousands investigate the causes, consequences and treatments. Supporting brain injury research expands the field to encourage continued investigation into this devastating condition. The financial support creates the workforce necessary to personalize treatments that can improve outcome for survivors.  

What else would be helpful for our community of donors and supporters to know about your work?

Brain injury can share similar pathology with other neurological conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, ALS, MS, and more. In addition, brain injury can be a risk factor for the development of neurodegenerative disease later in life. Our work in brain injury has the potential to translate to other conditions and diseases to inform research, diagnosis, and treatment. Additionally, brain injury also occurs far from the athletic fields and military zones. All too often, brain injury is the consequence of physical assault between domestic partners, leaving one with neurological symptoms that affect activities of daily living. Now we are understanding the epidemiology and regional distribution of brain injury from domestic violence. The future will explore resource allocation, education, and treatments for survivors.

About Katherine

Working to complete her doctoral research in the Department of Child Health at Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Kate is affiliated with the University of Arizona College of Medicine’s Translational Neurotrauma Research Program and is the author of multiple related publications and abstracts.

Education

Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience, DePaul University; Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Transitional Science (candidate), University of Arizona.