TBI - Key Persons
Erica Wasmund has worked on the TBI Model System study since 2012 and is currently the research coordinator. Erica handles the day-to-day operations of the study and is the main staff member in charge of participant recruitment. She also coordinates the InMotion study.
Although Erica is originally from Denver, Colorado, she has called Washington home for 30 years! Some of her favorite parts of living in Washington include: the great coffee, the Seattle International Film Festival, the beautiful hiking trails, and the abundant wineries.
Jason Barber, MS is our "go-to" person when it comes to databases, reports, graphical presentations and all things statistics. He consults on many of the major TBI studies at the University of Washington and Harborview Medical Centers such as the TBI Model Systems and its modular projects which this cycle include ACCELR8, TBI Care, LETBI, the BRITE study, CONTACT, BOOST, and the CBG study based out of Latin America.
Jason received his M.S. in biostatistics from the University of Washington in 2003, and has been working in TBI research since 1997. For the past 14 years he has served on the Board of the Brain Injury Alliance of Washington, including two years as President, and plays a vital role in the BIAWA's annual fundraising gala. A Seattle native, Jason enjoys long-distance walking, backpacking, stair-climbing, playing pool, and watching Sounders games, and over his lifetime has amassed an unusual collection of baseball & soccer cards.
Job Titles:
- Research Coordinator
- Research Study Coordinator
Laurel "Laurie" Peabody is a research study coordinator and has worked in TBI research since 2010. She joined the TBI Model System team in 2014 and before that she worked with many of the team members on other studies such as the CONTACT study and TRACK TBI. Currently, Laurie works primarily on the TBI Care study, but also helps out on other projects as needed.
Leslie Kempthorne, BS has been with the UW TBI Model System since 2000. She is a research manager and is responsible for supervising TBIMS research activities as well as those of other studies carried out by the TBIMS research team. The years Leslie has spent with TBIMS are a reflection of her dedication to the vision and goals of the study.
When she's not working, Leslie takes advantage of the natural and cultural offerings of the area - spending time with her family, hiking with her beloved dog Luna, or attending a show at one of the many event venues in Seattle. She also loves to travel and, like a true Seattleite, she likes her coffee strong.
Job Titles:
- Care Manager
- Research Therapist
Mary Curran, MSW is a Care Manager for the TBI Care Study at the UW Department of Rehabilitation Medicine. She is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) and works on research projects with the Dept of Rehab Med & UW School of Social Work. As a therapist, she is committed to helping patients find what works best for them in a way that honors their strengths and facilitates healing. She is particularly interested in working with underserved populations using evidence based practices which help to reduce pain, stress, and depression as well as strengthen social relationships.
Outside of work, she finds joy in being with her 3 children & partner, hiking in the mountains, gardening, soccer & practicing yoga.
Melissa Mayes, MSW works with the TBI Model System team as a Research Assistant on a variety of studies. For the past four years, she primarily conducts telephone interviews with TBI survivors for the TBI Model System study, but has involvement with Headache Studies and the Understanding Causes of Death Study.
Melissa speaks fluent Spanish and helps make the study more accessible to Spanish speakers. Melissa graduated with a Masters in Social Work from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Outside of work, Melissa enjoys travel, cooking, fitness, and spending time with her husband and husky dog.
Taylor Obata, BA is a Research Coordinator with the TBI Model System. She primarily works on the BRITE Study, but also assists with other studies and projects as needed. She has been with the Model System since 2011, initially starting as an Office Assistant. In time, Taylor developed a passion for TBI research and a great appreciation for the dedicated members of the TBIMS research team.
In 2015, she received her Bachelor's degree in Environmental Education from Western Washington University in Bellingham. Taylor is a self-described "nature nerd" and, when not at work, can often be found outside, walking her dog Pika and observing local flora and fauna (especially fungi). She finds spending time in natural environments to be therapeutic and so is an advocate for increasing green space accessibility. She also enjoys knitting, reading, and playing video games with her husband Michael.