Dr. Atkins is an Associate Professor at The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, Department of Neurological Surgery at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. Dr. Atkins is also a Research Health Scientist at the Bruce Carter Miami VA Healthcare System. Dr. Atkins received her undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Minnesota, her doctorate in Neuroscience at Baylor College of Medicine, and was a postdoctoral fellow at Oregon Health & Sciences University and at the University of Miami. In recognition of her research contributions, Dr. Atkins was the 2013 recipient of the Brain Injury Association of America Young Investigator Award. She is currently a PI on State of Florida grant to develop cognitive enhancers for TBI in the context of Alzheimer’s disease. Dr. Atkins is also PI on a VA Rehabilitation R&D grant to understand the interaction of chronic stress with TBI.