USU Research Addresses TBI, Suicide Prevention, and Emerging Threats at MHSRS 2025

Uniformed Services University researchers present cutting-edge findings on battlefield readiness, mental health, and medical innovations at the Military Health System Research Symposium.

Uniformed Services University researchers and leaders gather at the 2025 Military Health

System Research Symposium (MHSRS) to present their latest work on improving military

medicine and warfighter readiness. The symposium is a key venue for sharing innovative

research on topics ranging from TBI to suicide prevention and emerging threats. (Photos

courtesy of USU External Affairs)

August 5, 2025 by USU External Affairs

The Uniformed Services University (USU) had a strong showing on day one of the 2025 Military Health System Research Symposium (MHSRS), with researchers presenting a wide array of studies aimed at enhancing the health and readiness of service members. The symposium, which drew more than 3,300 attendees, kicked off with a keynote from Dr. Stephen Ferrara, a USU alumnus and the acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs. Ferrara’s address set the stage, emphasizing the need for military medical research to be agile and innovative to meet the challenges of future conflicts. He stressed that the next fight would be different, and medical solutions must be designed and tested to work in chaotic, degraded environments. The various presentations from USU-affiliated researchers throughout the day directly reflected this call to action, showcasing work that is pushing the boundaries of military medicine in areas from TBI to suicide prevention to radiation countermeasures and beyond.

Unpacking the Invisible Wounds of War

Several USU researchers focused on the invisible wounds of war, specifically traumatic brain injury (TBI) and mental health. Ferrara highlighted the importance of strengthening force resilience and readiness, noting efforts to embed behavioral health professionals with units and use artificial intelligence for early risk detection. Echoing this focus, two presentations delved into TBI and blast exposure.

Drake Ryff, a data manager at USU’s Center for Rehabilitation Sciences Research, presented initial findings from the NCAA-DoD CARE-SALTOS Integrated Study. This research, which analyzes a cohort of explosive ordnance disposal personnel, found a strong link between blast exposure and mild TBI (mTBI). Participants with the highest blast exposure scores were more than twice as likely to have a history of mTBI and a higher number of concussions. The ongoing study aims to enroll 2,000 participants to better understand long-term health outcomes.

In the Young Investigators Competition, Dr. Jacob Powell, an assistant professor, presented his research on Special Operations forces. Powell’s study used neuroimaging to investigate the cumulative impact of occupational blast exposure and mTBI. He found that increased blast exposure was linked to an increase in lateral ventricular volume and a decrease in gray matter volume in the cerebellum. His findings also suggested that mTBI might intensify blast-related structural changes and hinted at potential glymphatic dysfunction. Following this, Dr. Sujasha Gupta, a postdoctoral fellow, presented her study on mTBI's disruption of the brain's glymphatic clearance process during sleep. Using EEG and functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy, Gupta discovered that mTBI impairs the normal oxyhemoglobin-water phase shift, a finding that could lead to new methods for monitoring brain injury recovery at the bedside.

Drake Ryff, a data manager at USU’s Center for Rehabilitation Sciences Research, presented

initial findings from the NCAA-DoD CARE-SALTOS Integrated Study. (Photo credit: USU

External Affairs)

A Proactive Approach to Suicide Prevention

Suicide prevention was another critical topic, with multiple presentations from USU researchers highlighting innovative and data-driven approaches. In his plenary remarks, Ferrara underscored the value of trust and strong leadership in supporting the force. Building on this, Dr. Robin Bonomi, a psychiatrist from USU, discussed the Safeguard Pathfinding project, a telehealth case management trial to prevent suicide among high-risk active-duty soldiers. The six-month program combines cognitive-behavioral therapy with military-adapted supports and uses machine learning to tailor the intervention to individual risk. The project's goal is to create a sustainable and scalable intervention to reduce suicide during the most vulnerable periods for service members.

Dr. Seungbeen Ghim, speaking on behalf of Dr. Jangho Yoon, a Preventive Medicine and Biostatics professor at USU, presented research on the impact of the Brandon Act on suicide prevention. The study found that suicide attempt rates among military service members, particularly junior enlisted members, started to decline during the transition and full implementation of the Act. This research suggests that making mental health care more accessible and reducing stigma can lead to a significant decrease in suicide attempts.

Dr. Linda Thompson, a postdoctoral fellow, introduced a study methodology using ecological momentary assessment to explore the link between daily changes in sleep, mood, and suicidal thoughts in veterans. By monitoring participants with Fitbits and phone surveys, the research aims to identify warning signs like poor sleep that could predict increased suicide risk the following day. The ultimate goal is to use sleep-focused interventions as a practical, less stigmatizing way to support veterans' mental health.

Dr. Linda Thompson, a postdoctoral fellow, introduced a study methodology using

ecological momentary assessment to explore the link between daily changes in sleep, mood,

and suicidal thoughts in veterans. (Photo credit: USU External Affairs)

Innovations in Trauma and Readiness

A significant number of presentations also focused on advancing trauma care and readiness through a range of scientific and technological innovations, directly addressing Ferrara’s call for agility and speed in fielding medical solutions.

Dr. Seth Schobel, an associate professor at USU, moderated a session on "Big Data, AI [artificial intelligence] & ML [machine learning] in Military Research," which featured two USU-affiliated researchers using gene expression data to improve patient recovery and wound healing. Ninh Vu, a senior bioinformatics scientist, presented research on gene expression changes in trauma patients. The study identified significant differences in immune and inflammatory pathways between patients who recovered quickly and those who developed complications like sepsis, providing a molecular basis for why patient outcomes differ.

Dr. Sreya Mukherjee, a senior bioinformatics scientist in USU's Department of Surgery, discussed her research using gene expression analysis to distinguish between different stages of wound healing in combat-related extremity wounds. Her team identified distinct molecular profiles for granulation tissue, necrosis, and purulence, which could lay the groundwork for building predictive machine learning models to forecast wound outcomes.

Other innovations centered on protecting the warfighter. Dr. Yuan-Chiao Lu, a USU scientist, presented on how brain mechanics influence deformation under mild head impact, which is crucial for developing personalized protective equipment. Captain Amanda Lewis, a second-year Ph.D. student in USU’s Daniel K. Inouye Graduate School of Nursing, highlighted the need for more research on body armor designed for women. Her systemic review found significant gaps in functionality, injury risk, thermal regulation, and vital organ protection for female service members, and she emphasized the need for future research with larger, more representative samples of women.

Dr. Seth Schobel (middle), an associate professor at USU, moderated a session on

"Big Data, AI [artificial intelligence] & ML [machine learning] in Military Research," which

featured two USU-affiliated researchers using gene expression data to improve patient

recovery and wound healing. (Photo credit: USU External Affairs)

Preparing for Extreme Threats

Several presentations addressed the extreme threats of radiation exposure, showcasing a combination of cutting-edge research and practical training solutions. Dr. Sanchita Ghosh, a research biologist at USU’s Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute (AFRRI), presented on expanding the treatment window for the FDA-approved radiation countermeasure NPLATE. Dr. Juliann Kiang, also an AFRRI research biologist, presented her research on a novel prophylactic, L-histidine, which was found to protect mice against combined radiation and wound injury. Kiang’s findings suggest that L-histidine could be a potential therapeutic agent for mitigating the effects of such complex injuries.

In a session dedicated to developing practical solutions for radiation emergencies, Dr. Nicholas Chartrain from USU’s Center for Biotechnology introduced a "bone marrow-on-a-chip" model that mimics human bone marrow. This platform allows scientists to study radiation damage and test potential treatments more effectively than traditional animal models. Dr. William Blakely presented a new software tool in development that uses simple blood test results to quickly determine a person's radiation exposure level, which is critical for making fast triage decisions in mass-casualty scenarios. Finally, Lt. Col. Justin Peacock shared how his team developed a 3- and 5-day virtual Medical Effects of Ionizing Radiation (MEIR) training course to better prepare military medical personnel and emergency responders for radiation emergencies. The course not only increased participants’ knowledge but also made them feel more confident and willing to respond to real-world events, thus improving readiness across the force.

Collectively, the day’s presentations demonstrated that USU researchers are at the forefront of military medicine, addressing the complex challenges of the modern battlefield with innovative science, technology, and training solutions. 

Dr. Sanchita Ghosh, a research biologist at USU’s Armed Forces Radiobiology Research

Institute (AFRRI), presented on expanding the treatment window for the FDA-approved

radiation countermeasure NPLATE. (Photo credit: USU External Affairs)