Hergenroeder earns Pramod Dash Prize
The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research (TIRR) Foundation has named Georgene Hergenroeder, PhD, associate professor in the Vivian L. Smith Department of Neurosurgery at McGovern Medical School, as the recipient of the Pramod Dash Brain Injury Research Award.
At the Taste of TIRR Celebrity Chefs Dinner on Oct. 23 at River Oaks Country Club, Hergenroeder received the award for her seminal discoveries in the field of traumatic brain injury.
“I am honored to receive this award, named after an outstanding leader in the traumatic brain injury field,” Hergenroeder said. “Traumatic brain injury is a leading cause of death and disability. Consequences of TBI may include cognitive deficits, emotional and behavioral difficulties, physical and sensory impairment, and increased risk for neurodegenerative diseases. This award provides support for future TBI studies aimed at alleviating the negative impact of TBI.”
Hergenroeder’s primary research interest aims to improve patient outcomes after TBI and spinal cord injury. She has discovered biomarkers that can be used to diagnose concussion, or mild TBI, as well as to identify spinal cord injury patients who are at risk of developing neuropathic pain.
She has been a member of the TIRR Foundation and Mission Connect since 2006 and has held several leadership roles at McGovern Medical School, including chair of the Faculty Senate, the Committee on Committees, and the Compensation Committee.
The Pramod Dash Brain Injury Research Award was established by the TIRR Foundation to honor Dash’s contributions to the foundation’s flagship neurotrauma research initiative, Mission Connect. Under the leadership of executive director Cynthia Adkins, the board of directors, and Dash, Mission Connect evolved from a small group of pioneering researchers into a dynamic, interdisciplinary network of more than 150 leading scientists, physicians, and engineers. These academic collaborators represent 24 prominent academic and seven clinical institutions locally, nationally, and internationally.
Since its inception in 1997, Mission Connect has strategically identified and advanced key areas of basic neurotrauma research with the greatest promise for breakthrough discoveries and clinical translation. Notably, investment in Mission Connect research over the past 28 years has led to additional funding secured by its investigators from major agencies, including the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Defense, and other leading foundations.
The establishment of the Pramod Dash Brain Injury Research Award reflects the deep appreciation for his scientific leadership and the lasting impact he has had on Mission Connect’s growth and success.