BUFFALO, N.Y. -- University at Buffalo Professor of Psychiatry Barry S. Willer, PhD, is the recipient of the North American Brain Injury Society (NABIS) research award. It was presented to Willer last month at the annual meeting of the organization in Miami, at which he gave a keynote address.

NABIS recognizes one person each year for "contributions of a significant nature to research on traumatic brain injury." NABIS is the only organization in North America devoted to professionals in the field of brain injury; its mission is to move brain injury science into practice.

A UB faculty member in the School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences since 1976, Willer's research focuses on two areas: concussions, especially post-concussion syndrome and how best to treat it in athletes and non-athletes, and the restoration of the ability to recognize, express and regulate emotion in people with traumatic brain injury.

Most recently, Willer was named co-principal investigator with UB colleague John Leddy on a grant from NFL Charities to develop the most objective, scientific method of determining when an athlete who has had a concussion can safely return to play.

He also has received research funding from the National Institute for Disability and Rehabilitation Research; the Buffalo Sabres Foundation and the Robert Rich Family Foundation.

Willer lives in Fort Erie, Ontario.