Jaclyn B. Caccese, PhD, FACSM
Associate Professor
Division of Athletic Training
MS/PhD Programs
246C Atwell Hall
453 W. 10th Ave.
Columbus, Ohio 43210
Professional Areas of Interest
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
- Youth Sports Neurotrauma
- Law Enforcement Officer Brain Health
- Head Acceleration Measurement
- Multisensory Contributions to Balance and Fall Risk
Overview
Dr. Jaclyn B. Caccese is an Associate Professor in the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences at The Ohio State University College of Medicine, and a member of Ohio State’s Chronic Brain Injury Program. Her research program is centered on advancing our understanding of traumatic brain injury (TBI), particularly concerning repetitive head impacts and concussions in both athletic and tactical populations.
Dr. Caccese has demonstrated a significant and impactful record of scholarship, securing sustained extramural funding as a Principal Investigator and Co-Investigator from esteemed bodies such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). Her current research projects include investigating the neurodevelopmental effects of youth tackle football and examining the effects of concussions, repetitive head impacts, and low-level blast exposures in law enforcement officers. This work has directly influenced policy, contributing to a CDC report to Congress and shaping concussion return-to-duty protocols for law enforcement agencies.
A recognized leader in her field, Dr. Caccese is a Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine and has been honored with numerous accolades, including the HRS Outstanding New Investigator Award and the American College of Sports Medicine New Investigator Award, reflecting her commitment to excellence in research, teaching, and service.
Recent Publications
Caccese JB, Smith CR, Edwards NA, Emerson AM, Le Flao E, Wing JJ, Hagen J, Paur S, Walters J, Onate JA. Silent struggles: traumatic brain injuries and mental health in law enforcement. The Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation. 2025 May 1;40(3):E185-95.
Caccese JB, Smith CR, Edwards NA, Kolba C, Hagen JA, Paur S, Walters J, Onate JA. Current Clinical Concepts: A Framework for Concussion Management Strategies in Law Enforcement Officers. Journal of athletic training. 2024 Nov 1;59(11):1050-5.
Smith CR, Onate JA, Edwards NA, Hagen JA, Kolba C, Paur S, Walters J, Caccese JB. Characterizing head acceleration events in law enforcement cadets during subject control technique training. Annals of biomedical engineering. 2024 Oct;52(10):2768-79.
Arbogast KB, Caccese JB, Buckley TA, McIntosh AS, Henderson K, Stemper BD, Solomon G, Broglio SP, Funk JR, Crandall JR. Consensus Head Acceleration Measurement Practices (CHAMP): origins, methods, transparency and disclosure. Annals of biomedical engineering. 2022 Nov;50(11):1317-45.
Iverson GL, Büttner F, Caccese JB. Age of first exposure to contact and collision sports and later in life brain health: a narrative review. Frontiers in neurology. 2021 Sep 29;12:727089.
Recent Presentations
Acquired Brain Injury: What It Is, and Why It Matters within CRIT Implementation. Virtual presentation at the International Association of Chiefs of Police Community of Practice Webinar on September 10, 2025.
Silent Struggles: Traumatic Brain Injuries and Mental Health in Law Enforcement. Mitch Rosenthal Memorial Webinar hosted by The Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation and the Brain Injury Association of America on May 13, 2025.
Interventions to Minimize Exposure to Repeated Head Impacts. National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine Virtual Workshop on Exploring Risks of Repeated Head Impacts in Youth and Strategies to Minimize Exposure on April 15-16, 2025.
Addressing Traumatic Brain Injuries and Mental Health in Law Enforcement. Wellness Professionals’ Forum 2025 Presented by the National Fraternal Order of Police Division of Officer Wellness in Nashville, TN on February 16, 2025.
Protecting Those Who Serve: Lived Experiences of Law Enforcement Officers with TBI, Their Caregivers, and Children in the Home. Presentation at the National Association of State Head Injury Administrators 35th Annual State of the States in Brain Injury Conference in Eugene, OR on September 18, 2024.
Major Awards
- 2024 - Outstanding New Investigator, The Ohio State University School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
- 2024 - Fellow, American College of Sports Medicine
- 2022 - New Investigator Award, American College of Sports Medicine
Education
- Postdoctoral Fellow, Kinesiology and Applied Physiology, University of Delaware, Newark, DE
- Postdoctoral Fellow, Kinesiology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
- PhD, Biomechanics and Movement Science, University of Delaware, Newark, DE
- MS, Biomechanics and Movement Science, University of Delaware, Newark, DE
- BSE, Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
My Links
Sport and Tactical Athlete Injury Resiliency Science (STAIRS) Lab