Dr. Griesbach received her doctorate in Behavioral Neuroscience at the University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Griesbach is most well known for her National Institute of Health (NIH) funded research on traumatic brain injury that has focused on mechanisms that facilitate recovery and enhance rehabilitation. She has served as a reviewer for the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Veterans Administration and the Federal Advisory Committee for the Scientific Merit Review Board for Brain Injury. She is also a member of the NIH and Department of Defense (DOD) Sports Concussion Common Data Elements Working Group. She currently holds an appointment at the Neurosurgery Department, Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA and is past President and Chair for the National Neurotrauma Society.

Brent E. Masel, M.D. is the Executive Vice-President for Medical Affairs with the Centre for Neuro Skills and is a Clinical Professor of Neurology at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. He previously served as the President and Medical Director of the Transitional Learning Center at Galveston from 1994-2017. Dr. Masel received his medical degree from the Loyola University School of Medicine, and completed his post-graduate training from the University of Texas Medical Branch. He is a Board Certified Neurologist and was in the private practice of Neurology for 16 years.

He has conducted research and has over 40 publications in the areas of brain injury rehabilitation including virtual reality, hyperbaric oxygen treatment, sleep abnormalities, metabolic abnormalities, hormonal dysfunction, and the long-term medical issues from chronic brain injury. Dr. Masel is a board member of the North American Brain Injury Society, and the Brain Injury Association of America, where he serves as the National Medical Director. He is the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Brain Injury Association of Texas, the Innovations in Clinical Treatment Award from the North American Brain Injury Society and is the recipient of the 2013 Sheldon Berrol Clinical Services Award from the Brain Injury Association of America. His greatest achievement is his two sons who are both physicians.

Dr. Howell received her doctorate in Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience from George Mason University in Fairfax, VA. During that time, her primary area of research was pre-clinical models of neurodegenerative disease.

Since joining Centre for Neuro Skills in 2016, she now focuses on methods for facilitating recovery and maximizing outcome potential post-injury. Her responsibilities include coordinating clinical research studies, designing experiments, writing manuscripts, and preparing research grants proposals.

Dr. Howell has presented at esteemed conferences, including the American Heart Association’s International Stroke conference, National Neurotrauma Society, Society for Neuroscience, and Sleep Research Society conferences.

Her presentations have focused on sleep-wake disturbances, neuroendocrine abnormalities, and re-hospitalizations, deciphering how these impact outcome and quality of life. In addition, she has also presented for several audiences on successful methods for returning to work after brain injury.

Dr. Howell has published in and served as a reviewer for several scientific journals, including the Journal of Sleep Research, Neurorehabilitation, Journal of Neuroimmune Pharmacology, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation International, Physiology and Behavior, and the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

Dr. Mark Ashley founded Centre for Neuro Skills (CNS) in 1980, pioneering post-acute brain injury rehabilitation programs in multiple locations across California and Texas. His dedication to advancing brain injury care led to the establishment of the CNS Clinical Research and Education Foundation in 2011, a non-profit organization focused on research and education. With an extensive publishing record, including four books and numerous peer-reviewed articles, Dr. Ashley is a recognized leader in the field, contributing to guidelines, research panels, and advisory committees that shape the future of brain injury rehabilitation.

In addition to his leadership at CNS, Dr. Ashley serves on the Board of Directors for the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA), where he is Chairman Emeritus, and actively contributes to projects such as the development of rehabilitation guidelines for adults with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury. His academic affiliations include roles as an Adjunct Professor at Southern Illinois University and advisor to international rehabilitation initiatives. Dr. Ashley’s commitment to improving patient outcomes is reflected in his belief in the transformative impact of CNS programs: "I'm most proud of the impact we've had on people's lives and seeing patients transition from dependency to returning to work, home, and family."

Learn more about Dr. Mark Ashley.

David Harrington has been a leader in post-acute brain injury rehabilitation since 1993 and currently serves as the President and CEO of Centre for Neuro Skills (CNS). A Registered and Licensed Occupational Therapist with advanced practice in hand therapy and physical agent modalities, his career spans roles including Therapist, Clinical Case Manager, Quality Manager, and Director of Operations. David's expertise extends beyond clinical care to leadership, education, and research, with a focus on advancing healthcare practices and improving patient outcomes.

David holds a degree in Occupational Therapy from San Jose State University and an MBA from California State University, Bakersfield. A Certified Brain Injury Specialist and Trainer (CBIST) since 2006, he frequently presents to medical and academic groups on topics such as vision and perception after brain injury, disease management, and ethics in healthcare. His scholarly contributions include co-authoring textbook chapters and publishing research in peer-reviewed journals, such as the Journal of Neurotrauma. David also teaches business and ethics courses as an adjunct instructor at California State University, Bakersfield, and serves on the Board of Directors of the Brain Injury Association of America.

Dr. Matthew J. Ashley, Chief Medical Officer at Centre for Neuro Skills, combines expertise in neurology, rehabilitation, and medical-legal issues to advance patient care and clinical research. A graduate of Southern Illinois University with both medical and juris doctor degrees, he completed a neurology residency and a neurological rehabilitation fellowship at UCLA's renowned Neurological Rehabilitation and Research Unit. Dr. Ashley is one of the few physicians nationally trained in both neurology and rehabilitation, providing specialized care for post-acute brain injury recovery.

Dr. Ashley oversees medical affairs, clinical care guidelines, and quality improvement at CNS while contributing to research and strategic planning. His published works focus on diagnosis, treatment, and case management of brain injuries. As a Visiting Assistant Clinical Professor in UCLA's Department of Neurology, he shares his expertise on stroke, epilepsy, dementia, neuroradiology, and brain injury rehabilitation with medical and academic audiences. His commitment to research-driven, individualized care supports CNS's philosophy: "Patients Don’t Plateau," helping patients achieve meaningful, lasting recoveries.

Craig Persel has been a key member of Centre for Neuro Skills (CNS) since 1981, contributing his expertise in research, statistics, data analysis, applied behavior analysis, and technical writing. Over the years, he has held several influential roles, including Director of Research and Development, National Director of Research and Development, and Director of Corporate Intelligence and Analytics. He earned his master’s degree in education from California State University, Bakersfield.

Craig has co-authored numerous peer-reviewed publications focusing on brain injury rehabilitation, applied behavior analysis, and outcome measures in post-acute care. His work has appeared in esteemed journals such as Brain Injury, The Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation, and the Journal of Neurotrauma, and he has contributed to foundational texts like Traumatic Brain Injury: Rehabilitation, Treatment and Case Management. His research has played a significant role in advancing evidence-based practices and improving patient outcomes in brain injury rehabilitation.