Ava M. Puccio, RN, PhD, is an associate professor in the department of neurological surgery and also co-director of the Neurotrauma Clinical Trials Center in collaboration with David O. Okonkwo, MD, PhD.
Dr. Puccio received her bachelor of science degree in neuroscience in 1988 and bachelor degree in nursing in 1994, both from the University of Pittsburgh. In 1995, she joined the Department of Neurological Surgery as a nurse coordinator on the National Acute Brain Injury Study: Hypothermia (NABIS:H) study and also the coordinator for the Brain Trauma Research Center.
Throughout her years of employment as a nurse coordinator, she pursued part-time advanced schooling to graduate with a master’s degree in nursing from the University of Pittsburgh in 2000 and as a university scholar (top 2% of class) from the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing with a doctoral degree, emphasis in neuroscience in 2008. Her dissertation, “Effect of short periods of normobaric hyperoxia on local brain tissue oxygenation and cerebrospinal fluid oxidative stress markers in severe traumatic brain injury” was published in the Journal of Neurotrauma in 2009.
Dr. Puccio was appointed assistant professor in the Department of Neurological Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh in 2010 and received her adjunct faculty position with The School of Nursing, Department of Acute/Tertiary Care in 2010 with collaborations with Yvette Conley, PhD and Richard Henker, RN, PhD.
Dr. Puccio's publications can be reviewed through the National Library of Medicine's publication database.
Specialized Areas of Interest
Board Certifications
RN License: Pennsylvania
Hospital Privileges
Professional Organization Membership
Professional Activities
Education & Training
- BS, Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, 1988
- BSN, Nursing, University of Pittsburgh, 1994
- MSN, Nursing, University of Pittsburgh, 2000
- PhD, Nursing/Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, 2008
Honors & Awards
- Cold Spring Harbor Scholarship, 2012
- Ruth Perkins Kuehn Nursing Research Award, 2011
- Cameos of Caring Nursing Scholarship, 2007
- Society of Critical Care Nursing Section Award, 2006
Media Appearances
Chuck Noll Foundation awards grants to concussion researchers
February 22, 2018
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Steeler-sponsored Chuck Noll Foundation funds first concussion research grants
February 22, 2018
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette