Ramon-Diaz-Arrastia appointed Presidential Professor in Perelman School of Medicine

By Sydney Schaedel 03/02/16 1:16am

Traumatic brain injury expert Ramon Diaz-Arrastia has been appointed to a Presidential Professorship position at the Perelman School of Medicine, President Amy Gutmann and Provost Vincent Price announced Tuesday.

Diaz-Arrastia is the ninth Presidential Professor appointed since 2011. The Presidential Professorship is a feature of the University’s Action Plan for Faculty Diversity and Excellence. According to a press release, these professors “contribute to faculty eminence through diversity across the University.”

Diaz-Arrastia, a native of Cuba, currently works as a professor of neurology at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland. His appointment at Penn will become effective in July.

“At the uncharted frontier of brain science and traumatic injury, few investigators have expanded our knowledge quite like Dr. Ramon Diaz-Arrastia,” Gutmann said in a statement. “Ramon is a pioneering force in exploring the intricacies of neural damage and repair, and as Presidential Professor he will further strengthen Penn’s vital neurological research and exceptional clinical care.”

Diaz-Arrastia has also taught at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. There, he established one of the largest clinical centers in the world devoted to traumatic brain injuries. He often participates in outreach and presentations to Spanish-speaking communities about epilepsy, Alzheimer’s disease and traumatic brain injury.

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