Leadership Guided by Integrity and Expertise.

The Aviation Brain Health Initiative brings together a dedicated group of veterans, researchers, and professionals committed to advancing understanding of aviation-related brain health.

Our leadership and advisory team reflects a shared commitment to scientific integrity, transparency, and thoughtful advocacy. By combining lived experience from the aviation community with expertise in research, medicine, and public service, ABHI works to ensure that the issue of aviation brain health is approached with both rigor and responsibility.

We believe meaningful progress depends on collaboration, credible research, and open dialogue. The individuals guiding ABHI share a common goal: to support scientific discovery while honoring the experiences of the aviators whose stories help inform this work.

Learn More About Our Research

Bridget Reis

Founder, Aviation Brain Health Initiative

I am the daughter of Captain Ronald Reis, former Commanding Officer of the USS John C. Stennis, and was raised in the world of naval aviation. My childhood was shaped by life on military bases and the constant presence of aircraft overhead—often wondering if the jet passing above carried my father.

As I grew older, I began to see a different side of that world. I watched my father and other aviators transition out of their careers and begin to experience the physical and neurological toll of their service. Conversations with pilots and military families revealed a pattern of unanswered questions surrounding long-term brain health.

This led me to begin writing on the topic, including my Navy Times article, “Silent Crashes: Hidden Toll of Brain Trauma on Naval Aviators,” which explored these issues through the voices of pilots and industry professionals. Through this work, I recognized a critical gap: while aviation technology continues to advance, the long-term health of pilots has not been studied or understood equally.

This realization drives my commitment to advancing research, advocacy, and awareness around aviation brain health—ensuring that those who serve are better supported, both during and after their careers.

I earned my undergraduate degree in Business from Dallas Baptist University and am currently pursuing a master’s degree in Learning Technology and Design at the University of Houston.

Meet the Board

The Aviation Brain Health Initiative is guided by a board of veterans, aviators, researchers, and professionals committed to advancing understanding of aviation-related brain health.

United by a shared mission, the board provides direction, protects the integrity of the research, and helps build strong partnerships. Together, they are working to create meaningful progress and lasting impact for those who serve.

Support the People Behind the Mission

The work of the Aviation Brain Health Initiative is made possible by a dedicated team committed to advancing research, supporting veterans, and strengthening understanding of aviation brain health.

Your support helps empower this work—fueling research efforts, expanding outreach, and ensuring that both scientific inquiry and veteran voices continue to move forward.

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