About Nora Fotuhi
About Nora
My name is Nora Fotuhi, and I am currently a fourth-year undergraduate student at the University of Virginia, majoring in Neuroscience and Global Public Health. I am deeply passionate about brain health, pediatric medicine, and serving my community through both clinical and research-based work. At UVA, I work as a Medical Scribe in the UVA Dermatology Clinic and serve as a Research Assistant in the Developmental Neuroanalytics Lab under Dr. Meghan Puglia, studying brain development in children who spent time in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), with an emphasis on early autism screening and social-emotional development. I also work in the Kapur Lab at the UVA School of Medicine with Dr. Jennifer Burnsed, where we investigate neonatal hypoxic-ischemic brain injury using mouse models, focusing on brain tissue analysis and immunohistochemical staining.
Clinical & Research Experience
In addition, I volunteer as a Medical Scribe at the Charlottesville Free Clinic and previously volunteered in the Oncology Department at UVA Health for two years. My commitment to concussion education and advocacy has remained a central focus throughout my academic, clinical, and research experiences, and I was honored to have my work featured in a UVA Today article titled “A Hoo Ahead of the Game in Concussion Awareness.”
As a former student-athlete, I witnessed several friends struggle with the physical, cognitive, and emotional effects of concussions. One experience had a particularly lasting impact on me. After my close friend Jennifer suffered a serious concussion following a horseback riding accident, she experienced months of headaches, difficulty concentrating, and sensitivity to light and sound. Watching her recovery made me realize how limited concussion education was for many young people and their families.
Why I Started Concussion Superstars
I believe it is crucial for children, young adults, athletes, parents, and coaches to understand not only how concussions can be prevented, but also how they should be properly managed and treated. Returning to sports too quickly can delay recovery and increase the risk of additional injury. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I gathered my notes on concussion prevention, treatment, and recovery and wrote a book titled The Brain That Recovers: Fascinating Facts About the Brain and How It Can Overcome Concussions. You can learn more about the book below.
Research & Presentations
I have been grateful to present my concussion awareness research at several conferences and symposiums, including the UVA Undergraduate Research Symposium, the Cornell Undergraduate Psychology Conference, the UVA Brain Institute Symposium, and the UVA Neurosurgery Research Symposium.
Presentation Highlight
Watch a brief presentation from my UVA Neurosurgery Research Symposium talk on concussion awareness in young adults and the importance of proactive concussion education.
My Book
Published in 2022, The Brain That Recovers: Fascinating Facts About the Brain and How It Can Overcome Concussions was written to help young athletes, parents, coaches, and families better understand concussion prevention, recovery, and brain health.
Mission
Concussion Superstars was created to promote concussion awareness, prevention, and recovery education through four key goals:
Educate Young Athletes
Provide educational resources that help children, teenagers, and young adults understand concussion prevention, brain safety, and healthy recovery.
Support Parents & Coaches
Equip parents, coaches, and educators with practical information to help reduce concussion risk and support recovery.
Promote Community Education
Organize workshops, presentations, and outreach programs focused on concussion awareness and brain health.
Build Future Leaders
Create a community of young leaders who promote concussion awareness, injury prevention, symptom reporting, and brain health advocacy.
What does it mean to be a Concussion Superstar?
A Concussion Superstar is someone who understands the importance of brain health and helps promote concussion awareness, prevention, and recovery. Anyone can become a Concussion Superstar by following these three simple principles:
Believe in Prevention
Understand that many concussions can be prevented through education, safe play, proper equipment, and smart decision-making. The more aware we are of concussion risks, the better we can protect ourselves and others.
Report Symptoms
Recognize the signs and symptoms of a concussion and speak up when something doesn't feel right. Reporting symptoms early helps prevent further injury and supports a safer recovery.
Support Your Friends
Encourage friends who have suffered a concussion to prioritize their health and recovery. Remind them that protecting their brain is more important than returning to play too soon.