Melissa Anderson, Ph.D.

Dr. Melissa N. Anderson is an assistant professor in the Department of Exercise Physiology at Ohio University, where she also serves as the director of the Concussion Research Group and co-director of the Neuromuscular Biomechanics and Health Assessment Lab. She earned her Ph.D. in Kinesiology with a focus on Biomechanics from the University of Georgia, where her dissertation explored the relationship between concussion history, anxiety, and functional reaction time.

Dr. Anderson’s research is centered on understanding the lifelong neurological complications of head trauma and subsequent injury risk following a concussion. Her work has been supported by the National Institutes of Health and the National Collegiate Athletic Association, among others. She has published extensively on topics such as concussion disclosure in athletes and military cadets, the biomechanical factors contributing to subsequent concussion and musculoskeletal injury, and the unique challenges faced by non-athlete populations following a concussion.

Dr. Anderson’s innovative approach combines clinical tools with cutting-edge technology to better understand how concussions impact long-term health and injury risk. She is committed to inclusive research, emphasizing the underrepresentation of women and minorities in sports trauma studies. Her recent work has highlighted sex-based differences in neuroinflammatory biomarkers and the broader impact of repetitive head impacts on long-term neurological health. Additionally, Dr. Anderson works closely with OHIO athletics to provide comprehensive baseline and post-concussion testing services. This collaboration ensures that student-athletes receive the highest standard of care and that their recovery is closely monitored. Her expertise in administering and interpreting various concussion assessment tools, such as computerized neurocognitive testing, vestibular and ocular motor screening, and balance assessments, is instrumental in supporting the health and performance of athletes.