brain power hours
Charlas poderosas
Brain Power Hours are opportunities for researchers, clinicians, and community members to share information, perspectives, and lived experiences.
In a talk-show style, panelists engage in casual conversation with each other and take questions from a diverse audience.
Learn more about previous Power Hours below.
2026 Power Hour
Talking about pain
1pm - 2pm | Village Theatre
In this Power Hour we learned what pain is and the different types of pain. We heard about cutting-edge academic research on how to quantify pain and how the treatment of pain has evolved over time.
Alexios G. Carayannopoulos, DO, MPH is internationally known as a leader in rehabilitation, pain medicine, and medical regulation. He is board-certified in pain medicine and in physical medicine and rehabilitation, holds a master’s degree in public health from Johns Hopkins University and a certification in medical acupuncture from Harvard University. Dr. Carayannopoulos is currently Chief of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at RI Hospital and Newport Hospital, Medical Director of outpatient rehabilitation at Brown University Health and Professor of neurosurgery/neurology at The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. He also spent 13 years as a US Navy diver and submarine officer and is a specialist in undersea medicine and radiation health.
Frederike H Petzschner is a neuroscientist, director and advisory board member. She runs the Psychiatry, Embodiment and Computation (PEAC) Lab at the Carney Institute for Brain Science and the Department of Cognitive and Psychological Sciences at Brown University. At the heart of her work is a driving question: How does the body shape the mind? Her research explores the science of embodied intelligence — how physiological signals influence the way we perceive the world, experience emotion, and navigate illness and health. In addition to her academic research, she is a director of the Brainstorm Program, a pioneering initiative that accelerates the translation of computational brain science to real-world clinical applications and commercialisation. Frederike serves on multiple scientific advisory boards and is a member of Germany’s national council for digital ecology (Rat für digitale Ökologie). She is also an alumna of the WEF Global Shapers (Zurich hub), where she contributed to initiatives at the intersection of health, technology, and policy.
Meredith Mendola is a strategic leader and advocate working at the intersection of technological ethics and critical disability studies. As the inaugural Program Manager at Brown University’s Center for Technological Responsibility, Reimagination, and Redesign (CNTR), Meredith leads strategic development of research and programming at CNTR. Meredith is also an Executive Board Member and Co-Chair of the Fairs Committee for Brain Waves RI and the Secretary for the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee for the Town of Portsmouth. Their work is deeply informed by their experiences as a nonbinary, disabled professional living with multiple diseases; identities that drive their commitment to building technology that honors the full spectrum of human variance. For this panel, Meredith shared their experiences managing different types of pain across Multiple Sclerosis, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, and Psoriatic Arthritis.
2025 Power Hours
In this Power Hour we learned about what glioblastomas are, how they’re diagnosed and how they’re treated. We heard inspiring stories both from survivors of glioblastoma and caregivers who have lost loved ones.
12 – 1 pm: Brain Tumors
Eric Wong, MD is a Research Professor of Neurology, Medicine, Neurosurgery & Radiation Oncology at Brown University and Attending Neuro-Oncologist at Rhode Island Hospital. He is an international authority on the treatment of glioblastoma. His seminal work helped the initial approval of the therapeutic device NovoTTF-100A by the FDA in 2011 and the publication of a textbook on Alternating Electric Fields Therapy in Oncology in 2016. In 2021, he was honored as a Distinguished Lecturer in the Engineering in Medicine & Biology Society of IEEE and presented with the Oncologist of the Year award by the Massachusetts Society of Clinical Oncologists.
Mandi Razza was the wife of the late Chief Joseph Razza, Chief of Police in Johnston, RI. Mandi and Joe were married for 20 years and made their home in Johnston. Joe was the epitome of health, dedicated to jogging every day regardless of weather conditions. He was diagnosed with glioblastoma in June 2022, and passed away 15 months later. Mandi was his only caretaker and wants to share their experience in hopes it can help others navigate through what is a devastating and terrifying journey.
Michelle DeRoche was the wife of the late Alex Robertson of Barrington,RI. Alex was a talented and compassionate spine surgeon who dedicated his life to serving his patients. He loved playing sports and watching his three girls excel at lacrosse, tennis and basketball from the sidelines. Alex was diagnosed with glioblastoma in March 2022, just six months after he and Michelle were married, and passed away 15 months later. Despite having spent their careers in healthcare, Alex and Michelle struggled navigating the healthcare system in a desperate search for viable treatment options. Michelle is passionate about helping others navigate this devastating diagnosis.
1 – 2 pm: Recovery after Brain Injury
We focused on recovery in the context of brain injury. We heard from survivors, advocates, and caregivers, all of whom shed light on the unique ways in which they have approached recovery. We discussed what recovery means to each person, how we can approach it creatively, the role of community, and how the government can support the recovery process.
Carmen Boucher is certified as a Community Health Worker for Rhode Island. She holds a B.S. from Charter Oak College and completed the ADA Coordinator Training Certification Program at the University of Missouri. Currently, Carmen serves as the Traumatic Brain Injury Coordinator at the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH), specifically within the Violence and Injury Prevention Program, where she coordinates the TBI Person-Centered Partnership Project. Her career includes significant experience in public health roles, such as with the Office of Special Health Care Needs and the Health Equity Institute. Carmen has also worked with school committees and parent organizations in Woonsocket, advocating for special education and equity. She is passionate about empowering individuals, promoting equality, and advocating for families and caregivers through education and outreach.
Richard Muto is a brain injury (BI) survivor, having been diagnosed with brain bleeds thirty years ago. He has actively participated in advocacy and public speaking since 2010. He serves on the Governor’s Permanent Advisory Committee for Traumatic Brain Injury, the Advisory Board for Neuro Restorative, a residential program for BI survivors, and the Board for Pride in Aging RI. He is certified as a Community Health Worker and provides one-on-one peer support as well as leading BI support groups through the Ocean State Center for Independent Living.
Denise Lowell, MA is a stroke survivor living with aphasia since 2015. She is the Founder and President of Just Aphasia Stroke Knowledge (Just A.S.K.), dedicated to raising awareness and supporting individuals with aphasia. Denise serves on several advisory boards, including the RI Department of Health Traumatic Brain Injury Advisory Board and the Adaptive Telephone Equipment Loan (ATEL) Program Committee, and is an Appointed Member of the Governor’s Commission on Disabilities.
