Jessica Hubbard serves as the lead Research Associate for the biofluids workstream of mTBI-PREDICT, a major multidisciplinary clinical study focused on developing prognostic tools for mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). In this role, she coordinates the collection, processing, and analysis of biological samples from several patient populations including civilians, sportsmen and military personnel. She works closely with research nurses, clinicians, laboratory scientists, data specialists, and external collaborators. Her leadership within this complex research environment reflects her strong organisational skills, technical expertise, and commitment to advancing biomarker discovery for brain injury.
Based in the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Birmingham, Jessica contributes extensively to the scientific and operational development of mTBI-PREDICT. She plays a central role in developing standardised protocols, ensuring high-quality laboratory practice, and bridging communication between clinical teams and laboratory research groups. Through this work, she has managed the successful collection, storage and tracking of over 10,000 aliquots in the first year of recruitment.
Alongside her research associate responsibilities, Jessica is now in the final year of her PhD, where her research focuses on foundational biomarker characterisation to support the development prognostic tools in an effort to inform clinical management. This work integrates laboratory techniques with statistical and translational research methods, demonstrating her ability to operate effectively at the intersection of basic and clinical sciences.
Jessica’s growing expertise in neurotrauma research has already contributed to a number of scientific outputs, collaborative projects, and international conference presentations. She is committed to improving patient outcomes through rigorous research practice and fostering positive collaboration within multidisciplinary teams. Through her combined roles as a PhD researcher and lead Research Associate, she continues to play a vital part in advancing the evidence base for mTBI prognostics and supporting the success of the mTBI-PREDICT programme.