GoKawiilMIT alum Totman builds career in brain injury medicine after BrainTrust days
Alissa Totman, a 2013 MIT graduate, now works as a physician specializing in brain injury medicine at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, treating adults with head trauma, stroke, and brain tumors. She traces her path into the field to her undergraduate involvement with MIT BrainTrust, a student group pairing MIT students with people living with brain injuries.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The trajectory illustrates how a volunteer, peer-support activity during college can shape a long-term medical specialty choice, suggesting value in exposing students to patient populations outside formal coursework. It also highlights brain injury medicine as a growing area combining neurology, rehabilitation, and long-term patient support.
- Alissa Totman, MIT Class of 2013, now practices brain injury medicine at UPMC.
- Her career path began with undergraduate involvement in MIT BrainTrust, a peer support group.
- She treats patients with head trauma, stroke, and brain tumors among other conditions.
Source: technologyreview.com — Ari Daniel, 2026-10-20
Published there as: “A champion for brain injury patients”
Read the original report → The summary and analysis above are GoKawiil's own, written from reporting by the source above. Facts and quotes belong to the original publisher.