Shawn R. Eagle, PhD

  • Research Assistant Professor

Shawn R. Eagle, PhD, joined the faculty of the Department of Neurological Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh in January of 2022. Dr. Eagle has collaborated on Department of Defense (DoD) funded research through the University of Pittsburgh since 2013. He began focusing on TBI in 2015 when he began his doctoral studies at the University of Pittsburgh’s Neuromuscular Research Laboratory. Dr. Eagle extended his studies as a postdoctoral fellow in the UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion Clinic from 2019 to 2021. His research interests are currently focused on mitigating risk for long-term sequelae following traumatic brain injury, with a specific focus on mental health issues.

Dr. Eagle has published over 85 papers in refereed journals and presented his research at local, national and international scientific conferences. He is an ad-hoc reviewer for 33 peer-reviewed journals. 

Dr. Eagle’s publications can be reviewed through the National Library of Medicine’s publication database

Specialized Areas of Interest

Optimizing identification, assessment and management of traumatic brain injury using objective assessments and biological markers to improve long-term patient outcomes.

Board Certifications

Certified Athletic Trainer, Board of Certification

Professional Organization Membership

National Athletic Trainers’ Association
National Neurotrauma Society

Education & Training

  • BA, Athletic Training, Denison University, 2011
  • MAT, Athletic Training, Texas Tech University, 2013
  • PhD, Rehabilitation Science, University of Pittsburgh, 2019
  • Postdoctoral Fellowship, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, 2021

Honors & Awards

  • Young Investigator Award Finalist, Military Health Sciences Research Symposium, 2020
  • Neuromuscular Plasticity Scholar Award, University of Florida, 2018
  • Doctoral Student Award, International Congress on Soldiers’ Physical Performance, 2017
  • Mid-Atlantic Regional Doctoral Student Investigator Award, American College of Sports Medicine, 2016

Research Activities

Since joining the department in January of 2022, Dr. Eagle has actively integrated into the NCTC’s ongoing research projects by reviewing and contributing to research grant applications, providing statistical analysis for existing projects, and writing manuscripts on subjects such as prognostic modeling of severe TBI and the impact of media on chronic traumatic encephalopathy research. Dr. Eagle has had three first-author abstracts accepted as presentations at the 2022 annual meetings for the National Neurotrauma Society, International Neurotrauma Symposium, and Military Health System Research Symposium.

Media Appearances