Tracey Covassin, Ph.D., ATC

Dr. Covassin is an Associate Professor and certified athletic trainer at Michigan State University in the Departments of Kinesiology and Intercollegiate Athletics. Her research in sport-related concussion includes sex and age differences in concussion outcomes, neurocognitive impairments, and issues associated with multiple concussions. Dr. Covassin currently directs a multi-site high school and college sport-concussion outreach program in the Mid-Michigan area. Dr. Covassin has been lead author or co-author of over 50 professional publications and made 75 professional presentations, and has received funding as a principal investigator from external sources including the National Operating Committee of Standards for Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE), National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) Research and Education Foundation, NFL Charities, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In 2013 she was appointed to the Institute of Medicine (IOM) and National Research Council Sport-Related Concussion in Youth Committee. The committee reviewed current literature on concussions, their causes and the relationship of hits to the head during sport, effectiveness of protective devices and equipment, screening and diagnosis, prevention, management and treatment. The evidence-based report titled “Sport-related Concussions in Youth: Improving the Science, Changing the Culture" was released October 2013.