Dr. Umesh M. Venkatesan is an Institute Scientist and Director of the Brain Trauma and Behavior Laboratory at Jefferson Moss Rehabilitation Research Institute, and Assistant Professor of Rehabilitation Medicine at Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University. He is a clinical neuropsychologist by training, with substantive clinical and research experience in aging and dementia in addition to traumatic brain injury (TBI). Dr. Venkatesan's primary interest is in moderate-severe TBI as a chronic disability, particularly in its intersection with aging and age-related medical complications. His research is currently funded in part by the National Institutes of Health and the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research.

Characterizing stable and evolving brain, cognitive, psychosocial, and functional changes after acute clinical recovery from TBI

Projects include using neuropsychological, fMRI, and survey methods to evaluate functioning in the chronic stage of TBI recovery (i.e., one to several years post-injury).

Describing the effects of personal, sociological, and environmental factors on post-injury outcomes

Projects include examining the effects of social determinants of health (e.g., neighborhood disadvantage and subjective experiences of social factors (e.g., stigma) on post-TBI health outcomes.

Applying knowledge gained from the above areas to develop theory-based treatment models and precision behavioral health interventions