Alison Cernich

Alison Cernich, holding a doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University, is currently the Deputy Director of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) at the National Institutes of Health. Prior to this role, she served as the Director of the National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research (NCMRR) at NICHD, an institution dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of people with disabilities. Cernich's academic background and commitment to research provides her with a strong theoretical grounding, complemented by her leadership roles in these significant institutions.

Before joining NICHD, Cernich held the position of Deputy Director of the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury in the Department of Defense. This role, coupled with her multiple roles in the Department of Veterans Affairs, underscores her commitment to addressing the psychological and neuropsychological health needs of both civilian and military populations. Cernich is also a board-certified neuropsychologist, further solidifying her expertise in the field.

Throughout her career, Cernich has been the lead or contributing author on multiple peer-reviewed articles and conference presentations. Her research areas of interest include disability and pregnancy, traumatic brain injury, and computerized neuropsychological assessment, demonstrating both her breadth of knowledge and her ability to communicate complex topics to diverse audiences. Her extensive publication record highlights her ability to translate research into practice and her commitment to advancing the field of neuropsychology.