Principal Investigator
Lab Director
David Howell, PhD, ATC
The overarching goal of Dr. Howell’s research is to evaluate objective and quantitative measures that provide clinically relevant data for concussion management, and to discover the physiologic underpinnings of post-concussion deficits. Concussion is a multifaceted and heterogeneous injury, so monitoring recovery and determining biological predictors of long-term outcomes remains challenging. Currently, Dr. Howell and team are focused on establishing a framework to better understand and assess effective methods to allow athletes with a concussion to return to full sport participation in a safe manner. Outside of the office, Dr. Howell enjoys activities that are typical for a Colorado resident: fly-fishing, skiing, hiking, and exploring places that don’t get cell service.
Lead Researcher, Sports Medicine Center, Children’s Hospital Colorado
Assistant Professor and Assistant Director of Clinical Research, Department of Orthopedics, University of Colorado School of Medicine
Email:
David.Howell@CUAnschutz.edu
Primary research interests:
pediatric concussion; human movement analysis; youth athlete health
Links to complete bibliography of published work:
https://profiles.ucdenver.edu/display/15074432
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/david.howell.1/bibliography/public/
Education:
BA, Whitworth University, Spokane, WA
MS, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR
PhD, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR
Post-Doc, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA
Associate Lab Director
Julie C. Wilson, MD.
Through her clinical practice and corresponding research, Dr. Wilson’s goal is to advance the clinical care of children and adolescents with concussions through research investigating methods to diagnosis, manage and reduce the risk of concussions and their subsequent effects. As the Co-Director of the Concussion Program at Children’s Hospital Colorado, Dr. Wilson provides a wealth of experience as someone who treats children with a concussion on a daily basis, conveying unique insights from both a clinician and patient/parent perspective to incorporate into our ongoing research studies. Outside of work, Dr. Wilson enjoys cycling, snowboarding, spending time with her dogs, and trying to find the best tea and ice cream shops in Colorado.
Lab Members
Doctoral Students
Kate Smulligan, PT, DPT
Kate Smulligan is a Ph.D. student with a research interest in sports concussion. She is particularly interested in the interplay between the cervical spine and the vestibular and oculomotor systems, and how that impacts persistent symptoms following concussion. Kate began her career as a physical therapist specializing in traumatic brain injury rehabilitation, and she brings her clinical expertise in this area to further the understanding of optimal assessment, treatment, and prevention of concussion.Research Assistants
Casey Little, BS
Casey Little, BS, is a Research Assistant in the Sports Medicine Department supporting Dr. David Howell, Dr. Julie Wilson, and the primary care sports medicine team. Casey graduated from the University of Vermont Honors College in 2019 with a degree in Exercise and Movement Science, then spent two years as a middle-school science teacher in underserved communities through Teach for America. She has previously done research investigating changes in patellar cartilage thickness following ACL injury and alternative interventions to improve postural control in people with multiple sclerosis. Her current research focuses on concussions and other sports-related injuries. When not at Children’s Hospital Colorado, Casey enjoys hiking, mountain biking, reading, and swimming.
Mathew Wingerson, MS
Mathew Wingerson is a Research Assistant in the Sports Medicine Center supporting Dr. David Howell and Dr. Julie Wilson. He also performs research in the Rehabilitation Psychology department under the direction of Dr. Michael Kirkwood. Mathew graduated from Simpson College (IA) in 2019 with a degree in Psychology and will graduate with his MS in Applied Sport Psychology in 2021. Mathew’s research interests include psychosocial outcomes of sports injury, as well as sport psychology interventions during injury rehabilitation. Outside of the Children’s Hospital Colorado, Mathew enjoys sports, hiking, and reading.
Medical Students
Samantha Magliato, BS
Samantha Magliato is a medical student at the University of Colorado School of Medicine Class of 2024. She graduated from Case Western Reserve University in January 2020 with a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering with a focus in biomechanics and a minor in Chemistry. Throughout undergrad, Samantha was a competitive rower and continues to enjoy being active outdoors. Samantha is an aspiring physician researcher in the field of orthopedics and sports medicine with interests in concussion and injury prevention
Master's Students
Linda Neely, BS
Linda Neely, BS, is a graduate student in the Modern Human Anatomy program at the University of Colorado. She graduated from Wartburg College in 2020 with a degree in biology and hopes to pursue a career in physical therapy. Her current research interest includes the impact of sleep and physical activity on concussion recovery. Outside of school she enjoys spending time up in the mountains either hiking or snowboarding and attending sporting events.
Undergraduate Students
Jake Rademacher
Jake Rademacher is an Undergraduate Researcher in the Howell Concussion Lab. His research interests include anything concussion based, but particularly interventions that better allow athletes to return to play after concussion. He is currently a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences candidate at the University of Denver, minoring in Human Health Systems and Sciences, Chemistry, and Leadership Studies. Outside of school, he enjoys spending time outdoors, playing soccer, and skiing.Associated Faculty and Clinician Researchers
Jack Spittler, MD, Sports Medicine Physician, University of Colorado School of Medicine
Gregory Walker, MD, Sports Medicine Physician, Children’s Hospital Colorado
Aaron Provance, MD, Sports Medicine Physician, Children’s Hospital Colorado
Emily Sweeney, MD, Sports Medicine Physician, Children’s Hospital Colorado
Aubrey Armento, MD, Sports Medicine Physician, Children’s Hospital Colorado
Jay Albright, MD, Sports Medicine Orthopedic Surgeon, Children’s Hospital Colorado
Margot Gray, DPT, PT, Physical Therapist, Children’s Hospital Colorado
Allison D’Lauro, DPT, PT, Physical Therapist, Children’s Hospital Colorado
Lab Alumni
Morgan Potter, Research Assistant (2017-2019). Current: Physical Therapy and PhD Student, University of Delaware
Alexia Gagliardi, Research Assistant (2017-2020). Current: Medical Student, Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine
Tatiana Patismas, Medical Resident (2019-2020). Current: Sports Medicine Fellow, Children’s Hospital Colorado.
Katie Van Deventer, Medical Student (2019-2020). Current: Medical Resident, UC-Irvine.
Julia Southard, Undergraduate Intern, Regis University (2019).
Corrine Seehusen, Research Assistant (2019-2021). Current: Medical Student, University of New England.