Pediatric Neurotrauma Lab

Nellie’s Story and the Importance of Pediatric TBI research!

PNL TEAM • February 16, 2026

Dr. Reisner explains the work being done at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta to identify biomarkers in children with TBIs and its long-lasting impact.

Check out Nellie’s story and hear about the why behind the work PNL does! 


When a child experiences a traumatic brain injury, every moment matters. This video highlights how Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta brings together compassionate care and leading Neurotrauma research to improve outcomes for kids and families.


Through the experience of Nellie and her family, alongside the work of Children’s Neurotrauma team, the video shows how clinical expertise and research, including advancement that help doctors better understand  neurotrauma, come together to guide care when families need it most.


About Pediatric Neurotrauma at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta:

  • Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the leading causes of serious injury in Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
  • Care requires rapid diagnosis, specialized expertise, and coordinated treatment
  • Research helps clinicians better understand brain injury and support recovery
  • At Children’s, research and care work hand in hand to improve outcomes for patients and families
Dr. Laura Blackwell speaking at the Pediatric Brain Injury Conference in Calgary
By PNL TEAM July 23, 2026
Dr. Laura Blackwell spoke at the sixth Biennial Conference on Pediatric Brain Injury in Calgary, presenting on biomarkers in the new TBI classification for children.
Dr. Blackwell and Jai Trivedi at the 2026 Neurotrauma Symposium
By PNL TEAM July 23, 2026
Dr. Laura Blackwell and Jai Trivedi presented research at the 2026 National Neurotrauma Society Symposium in Milwaukee on pediatric brain injury care and assessment.
Dr Reisner honored Children's Healthcare Atlanta patients staff Braves game
By PNL TEAM July 23, 2026
Dr. Reisner honored Children's Healthcare of Atlanta patients and staff at Braves on July 21 2026. He stepped onto field during the green out in the 8th inning time.
PNL receives check Emerging Leaders Children's Healthcare Atlanta May 12 2026
By PNL TEAM May 20, 2026
ELC presents Pediatric Neurotrauma Lab with donation May 12 2026 to support TBI biomarker research for precision treatment and reducing unnecessary imaging children.
Title: PNL Team Attends the 13th Annual ELC Scrubs Party Benefiting our TBI research! 
The Emerging
By PNL TEAM April 22, 2026
ELC 13th Annual Scrubs Party March 28 2026 raises over 500000 for Pediatric Neurotrauma Lab to support pediatric TBI research at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta GA.
Dr Reisner presents EANS webinar neuromonitoring children traumatic brain injury
By PNL TEAM April 22, 2026
Dr. Reisner presents at EANS webinar on neuromonitoring in children with traumatic brain injury. Topic covers the role of biomarkers in monitoring children with TBI.
Holland Carlton and Dr. Reisner at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta neurosurgery
By PNL TEAM April 3, 2026
Holland Carlton had a brain tumor removed by Dr. Reisner at Children's in 2015. She now works alongside the care team that saved her life. Read her incredible story.
Dr. Andrew Reisner and PNL team on the Arthur M. Blank Hospital helipad
By PNL TEAM April 3, 2026
A helipad at Arthur M. Blank Hospital was donated in Dr. Reisner's honor by the Elaine and John Carlos family. See the PNL neurosurgery team on the helipad in photo.
By PNL TEAM March 12, 2026
Dr. Blackwell attended the inaugural meeting of the Paediatric Research for the Future of Children in Geneva, Switzerland. The forum has 5 main themes: Precision Medicine and Novel Therapies in Paediatrics, Big Data in Paediatric Research, Child Mental Health and Development, Early Life Determinants of Health and Disease, and Promoting Global Paediatric Research and Paediatric Clinician Scientists Dr. Blackwell presented Transforming Care for Pediatric Concussion: A Focus on Behavioral and Emotional Outcomes. She served as a speaker for the Child Mental Health and Development session alongside Dr. Constantino, Chief of Behavioral and Mental Health at CHOA.
PNL Pediatric Neurotrauma Lab logo with brain icon and black text on white background
By PNL TEAM March 12, 2026
The Pediatric Neurocritical Care Research Group (PNCRG) focuses on advancing knowledge to optimize neurological outcomes in critically ill children by performing clinical and preclinical studies, supporting education, developing, and promoting best practices, and promoting advocacy. Dr. Reisner and Dr. Fainberg had the pleasure of presenting Biomarkers in Traumatic Brain Injuries in Children at a virtual meeting for PNCRG.
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