Team Forget It

The Problem:

There are about 300,000 sports related cases of concussions per year in the United States alone. Athletes are the number one group at risk of sustaining a concussion, and face the potential for injury every time they step on the field. Concussions can vary in recovery time from a week to months, and concussion symptoms vary in every individual. Despite a sizable knowledge base on the subject and increased awareness of the problem, there are many aspects of concussion pathology yet to be studied.

Our Role:

As a part of the Gemstone Program, an interdisciplinary research program that allows undergraduates to carry out three year research projects, Team Forget It aims to grapple with some of the unknown aspects of concussions. With mentoring from Dr. Silvia Muro, an associate professor in the Fischell Department of Bioengineering, we are currently researching the relationship between glucose transport elements and reactive oxygen species during a concussion in the cells that make up the blood brain barrier. In addition, we plan to examine the efficacy of antioxidants such as Vitamin E as a protective measure against the detrimental effects of a concussion.

We Need YOUR Help:

We are seeking funding in order to purchase cells and reagents for our team to conduct research in the lab over the next year. Any donation will go a long way into helping us examine the physiology behind a concussion. We cannot do it without your help! We have the ability to expand the knowledge base about concussions, and get one step closer towards solving this ever-growing problem. 

Gifts in support of the University of Maryland are accepted and managed by the University of Maryland College Park Foundation, Inc., an affiliated 501(c)(3) organization authorized by the Board of Regents.  Contributions to the University of Maryland are tax deductible as allowed by law.  Please see your tax advisor for details.