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Timothy J Ainger, PhD

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University of Kentucky Department of Neurology

Positions

  • Associate Professor

College Unit(s)

Biography and Education

Biography

Dr. Timothy Ainger is a clinical neuropsychologist and an assistant professor of neurology with the UK College of Medicine and the Kentucky Neuroscience Institute.  He earned his Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Gallaudet University in Washington, DC, and did his clinical internship at the Hunter Holmes McGuire Veterans Affairs Medical and Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center in Richmond, Virginia, focusing on neuropsychological assessment and cognitive rehabilitation in veterans with multiple traumas and traumatic brain injuries.  He completed his postdoctoral fellowship training in clinical neuropsychology with Cornerstone Neuropsychology (an affiliate of Wake Forest Baptist Health) in High Point, North Carolina.  He has also been previously employed by the US Department of Justice. 

Dr. Ainger focuses on applied neuropsychology, examining ways to enhance the clinical conceptualization of diverse populations and diagnoses. His clinical work and research foci include epilepsy, organ transplant, multiple sclerosis, resiliency and wellness, psychopathy, and forensics. He is a National Multiple Sclerosis Society Partner-In-Care.  He currently serves on The Neurology Department Wellness Committee and The Diversity & Inclusion Committee, UK Graduate Medical Education Development Subcommittee, the UK College of Medicine Faculty Wellness Committee, and the International Aerospace Neurology Consortium.

Education

Degree

  • BA, Psychology, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tenn.
  • MS, Clinical Psychology, Barry University, Miami Shores, Fla.
  • MA, Psychology, Gallaudet University, Washington, District of Columbia
  • PhD, Clinical Psychology, Gallaudet University, Washington, District of Columbia
  • PhD, Clinical Internship, Clinical Psychology, Hunter Holmes McGuire Veterans Affairs, Richmond, Va.

Fellowship

Post Doctoral Fellowship, Clinical Psychology, Cornerstone Neuropsychology/Wake Forest Baptist Health, High Point, N.C.

Certificates

  • 03/2024 International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) 4th International Training Course on Neuropsychology in Epilepsy Lyon, FR
  • 03/2022 International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) 3rd International Training Course on Neuropsychology in Epilepsy Bordeaux, FR
  • 09/2021 The CogScreen Aeromedical Edition (AE) Basic Training Course Washington, DC
  • 04/2021 Human Intervention Motivational Study (HIMS) – Advanced Topics in Aviation Psychology, Psychiatry, and Medicine Alexandria, VA
  • 03/2020 Knight Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (ADRC) Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) Scale Baltimore, MD
  • 09/2014 Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for PTSD National Center for PTSD/Department of Veteran’s Affairs Salem, VA
  • 04/2014 The Insanity Defense and the Attempted Assassination of President Reagan Washington, DC
  • 07/2013 A Call to Action: Unconventional Approaches to Combat Modern Slavery/US Department of State Washington, DC
  • 07/2013 Emotional Survival for Law Enforcement/Federal Bureau of Investigation Washington, DC
  • 06/2012 Assessing Psychopathy with the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R); Global Institute of Forensic Research/Darkstone Research Group Baltimore, MD
  • 12/2011 A Developmental Understanding for Assessing and Treating Violent Individuals/Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology Boston, MA
  • 09/2010 Sandtray Therapy/Gallaudet University Washington, DC

Awards & News

Awards

  • Gallaudet University President’s Scholar
  • Inaugural University of Tennessee Alumni 40 Under 40 Award
  • Academy of Medical Educators Excellence in Medical Education Award - Teaching
  • Sara Bennet Holmes Award (Team Member)

Selected Publications

Publications

Peer-Reviewed Original Research in Professional, Scientific or Educational Journals


1. Ainger, T. J., Romero, E., & Feldman, D. (2012). Contemporary society and the issues facing deaf baby boomers when compared to their hearing counterparts. Journal of the American Deafness and Rehabilitation Association (JADARA). 45: 330-348.

2. Ainger, T.J. (2015). Examining the cognitive processes involved in the development of adolescent antisocial behavior: Potential neuropsychological implications. Gallaudet Chronicles of Psychology. 3: 1-10.

3. Bajaj, J.S., Ellwood, M.E., Ainger, T., Burroughs, T., Fagan, A., Gavin, E.A., Heuman, D.M., Fuchs, M., John, B., & Wade, J.B. (2017). Mindfulness-based stress reduction therapy improves patient and caregiver-reported outcomes in cirrhosis. Clinical and Translational Gastroenterology, 8: 1-6.

4. Zhou, Z., Ainger, T.J., & Han, D.Y. (2019). Clinical presentation of rapidly progressive Familial Danish Dementia. Neurocase: The Neural Basis of Cognition. doi: 10.1080/13554794.2019.1590603

5. Farrell, A.L., & Ainger, T.J. (2020, May 8) Self-care: Evidence-based strategies to cope with stress and trauma, especially in a global pandemic. The National Association of Medical Examiners (N.A.M.E.) https://www.thename.org/assets/docs/MEC%20Self-Care%204-29-2020%20%281%29.pdf

6. Bethard, J.D., Ainger, T.J., Gonciar, A., & Nyaradi, Z. (2021). Surviving (but not thriving) after cranial vault trauma: A case study from Transylvania. International Journal of Paleopathology, 34, 122-129.

7. Aulisio, M.C., Pasagic, S., Glueck, A.C., Ainger, T., & Han, D.Y. (2022). Repeat traumatic brain injury complications with localized dissociative amnesia of twenty-two years. Neurology and Neurobiology Science Repository, 5.

8. Thompson, J.S., Thornton, A., Ainger, T., & Garvy, B. (2023). Long-term high-dose immunoglobulin successfully treats Long Covid patients with pulmonary, neurologic and cardiac symptoms. Frontiers in Immunology, 13.

9. Bates, M.C., Das. S., Williams, A., Potter, S.J., & Ainger, T. (2023). The inappropriate consult. Expectations of specialty expertise and areas for improvement in interdisciplinary resident education. Neurology Education, 2 (published comment).

10. Han, D.Y., & Ainger, T.J. (2023). Artificial intelligence and neuromodulation in clinical neurology. Current Trends in Neurology, 17, 57-59.

11. Ainger, T.J., Bensalem-Owen, M., Fong-Isariyawongse, J., & Luedke, M. (2024). Of Hearth and Home: Professional Wellness After Hours. Epilepsy Currents, 15357597241237375. https://doi.org/10.1177/15357597241237375.

12. Tariq, R., Aziz, H.F., Paracha, S., Ahmed, N., Baqai, M.W.S., Baqshi, S.K., Mcatee, A., Ainger, T.J., Mirza, F.A., & Enam, S.A. (2024). Intraoperative mapping and preservation of executive functions in awake craniotomy: A systematic review. Neurological Sciences, 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-024-07475-y.

13. Ainger, T.J., Mathias, S., & Mirza, F. (2023). Is it epilepsy, or is it “X”? Turner Syndrome as a confound in epilepsy evaluation and care. Case Reports in Neurologic Medicine (under review).

14. Bojarski, L., & Ainger, T.J. (2023). An analysis of ACGME resident well-being survey data and its correlation to a resident-administered well-being survey. Journal of Graduate Medical Education (under review).

15. Bates, M., Potter, S., Williams, A., McClouth, C.J., McKinney, K., & Ainger, T.J. (2023). The consult compendium: A model for enhancing the quality of consults and improving institutional collaboration. The Journal of Graduate Medical Education (under review).

16. Tariq, R., Aziz, H.F., Paracha, S., Zahid, N., Ainger, T.J., & Mirza, F.A., Enam, S. (2024). Reclaiming cognitive functions in brain tumor survivors: A systematic review. Current Treatment Options in Neurology (under review).

 

Abstracts/Abstract Presentations

Local/State/Regional


1. April 2007. Ainger, T., & Muscarella, F. Adolescent perceptions of parent-child communication and onset age of teenage sexual behavior. Barry University Research Forum. Miami Shores, FL. Poster presentation.

2. April 2008. Ainger, T., Muscarella, F., & Koncsol, S. Adolescent perceptions of parent-child communication and teenage sexual behavior. Barry University Research Forum. Miami Shores, FL. Podium presentation.

3. October 2018. O’Connor, K., Murphy, R.R., & Ainger, T.J. Burnout and Wellness Among Residents Across Disciplines: A Pilot Examination. KNI Neuroscience Clinical-Translational Research Symposium. Lexington, KY. Poster Presentation.

4. October 2018. Snyder, K., & Ainger, T.J. Cognitive Insight in the Stroke Population. KNI Neuroscience Clinical-Translational Research Symposium. Lexington, KY. Poster Presentation.

5. December 2018. O’Connor, K., Murphy, R.R., & Ainger, T.J. Burnout and Wellness Among Residents Across Disciplines: A Pilot Examination. 2018 Annual Resident and Trainee Research Day. Lexington, KY. Poster Presentation.

6. December 2018. Yadav, P., Darpel, K., Ward-Mitchell, R., Slocum, R., Ainger, T.J., & Mahuwala, Z. Narrative Medicine as Therapy for Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Spells. 2018 Annual Resident and Trainee Research Day. Lexington, KY. Poster Presentation.

7. October 2020. Mirza, F., Ainger, T., Bae, J., El-Khouli, R., Yardi, R., Bensalem-Owen, M., Gold, B., Hardy, P.A., Powell, D.K., Sunderam, S., & Raslau, F. Functional Imaging and NeuroDiagnostics for Epilepsy and Resective Surgery (FINDERS Alliance). 2020 Clinical Translational Research Symposium (CTRS). Lexington, KY. Podium Presentation.

8. March 2021. Yousuf, F., King, R., Ainger, T., Yamasaki, T., Wilcock, D.M., Lee, T. L., & Hessler, A. Autoimmune Encephalitis Following Recovery of Acute SARS-CoV-2 Infection/Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection. 2021 Neurology Resident/Fellow Research Day. Lexington, KY. Poster Presentation.

National/International

1. December 2007. Ibañez, G. E., Lewis, S., Simoni, J., Metsch, L., Del Rio, C., Rodriguez, A., Jayaweera, D., Ainger, T. Correlates of antiretroviral medication use among in-patient HIV positive substance users. Center for Disease Control (CDC) National HIV Prevention Conference. Atlanta, GA. Poster presentation.

2. August 2012. Ainger, T.J., Romero, E., & Feldman, D. Contemporary Society and the Issues Facing Deaf Baby Boomers When Compared to Their Hearing Counterparts: A Review. American Psychological Association (APA) Annual Convention. Orlando, FL. Poster presentation.

3. November 2013. Ainger, T.J. Retrospective Female Adolescent Perceptions of Parent-Child Communication and Teenage Sexual Behavior. Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality (SSSS) Annual Meeting. San Diego, CA. Poster presentation.

4. February 2018. Ainger, T.J., Pick, L., & Binks, S. Enhancing the understanding of executive functioning of individuals with schizophrenia. Forty Sixth Annual Meeting International Neuropsychological Society. Washington, DC. Poster Presentation.

5. February 2018. Ainger, T.J., Pick, L., & Binks, S. Enhancing the understanding of executive functioning of individuals with schizophrenia. (Abstract) Final Program Forty Sixth Annual Meeting International Neuropsychological Society. (2018). Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society, 24(S1), A-325. doi:10.1017/S1355617718000528

6. February 2018. Farrell, A.L., & Ainger, T.J. Trauma, cognition, and the investigators. American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) Annual Meeting. Seattle, WA. Podium presentation.

7. August 2018. Han, D.Y., & Ainger, T.J. Acquired Brain Injury—A Clinical Primer for Psychologists. American Psychological Association (APA) 126th Annual Conference. San Francisco, CA. Continuing Education Workshop (8 CEs).

8. February 2019. Farrell, A.L., Ainger, T.J., & Scanlon, C. What’s Trauma and Stress Got To Do With It? Recognizing the Impact of Trauma on Forensic Professionals and Taking Steps to Mitigate It. American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) Annual Meeting. Baltimore, MD. Continuing Education Workshop (3 CEs).

9. February 2019. Ainger, T.J., & O’Connor. Burnout and Wellness Among Residents Across Disciplines: A Pilot Examination. Innovations in Medical Education Conference. Los Angeles, CA. Poster presentation.

10. May 2019. Al Janabi, O., Barber, J., Bogggess, B., O’Connor, K., Mahuwala, Z.K., Ainger, T.J., Caban-Holt, A., Jicha, G.A., & Murphy, R.R. Burnout Rate Among Iraqi Neurology Residents. American Academy of Neurology (AAN) 71st Annual Meeting. Philadelphia, PA. Poster presentation.

11. May 2019. Al-Janabi, O., Barber, J., Boggess, B., O’Connor, K., Mahuwala, Z., Ainger, T., Caban-Holt, A., Jicha, G., & Murphy, R. (2019). Burnout rate among Iraqi neurology residents. Neurology, 92 (15 Supplement), (P2.9-0.19).

12. September 2019. Bethard, J., Ainger, T., Gonciar, A., & Nyaradi, Z. Surviving a Traumatic Head Injury in Medieval Europe: A Case Study from Transylvania. The 25th Annual Meeting of the European Association of Archaeologists (EAA). Paper Presentation.

13. February 2020. Ainger, T.J., & O’Connor. Burnout and Wellness Among Residents Across Disciplines: A Pilot Examination Update. Innovations in Medical Education Conference. Los Angeles, CA. Poster presentation.

14. February 2020. Farrell, A., Ainger, T., Bethard, J., & Katz, D. Working Towards a Wellness Mindset for Forensic and Investigative Personnel: Addressing Stress and Trauma in the Workforce and Taking Steps to Change Professional Culture. American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) Annual Meeting. Anaheim, CA. Continuing Education Workshop (8 CEs).

15. February 2020. Farrell, A., Ainger, T.. Examining the Impact of Trauma and Stress Across Forensic and Investigative Concepts. American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) Annual Meeting. Anaheim, CA. Podium Presentation.

16. November 2020. Farrell, A., Ainger, T.. Death is Our Business: Stress, Trauma, and Resilience for Death Investigation Professionals. Nevada Death Investigation Virtual Conference. Reno, NV (virtual). Workshop Presentation.

17. December 2020. Ainger, T.J., Youssefi, J., Ebong, I., Yardi, R., Mathias, S., Mahuwala, Z., Ward-Mitchell, R., Hollar, S., & Bensalem-Owen, M. Efficacy of a Novel Kentucky Ictal Cognitive Protocol – A Pilot Investigation. American Epilepsy Society (AES) Annual Meeting. Seattle, WA (virtual). Poster Presentation.

18. December 2020. Yousuf, F., King, R., Ainger, T.J., & Hessler, A. COVID-19: Impact on the Brain; Comprehensive Overview: Neurological Impact of COVID – 10 Research Priorities. United States Congress. Panel Briefing.

19. April 2021. Yousuf, F., King, R., Ainger, T.J., & Hessler, A. Autoimmune Encephalitis Following Recovery of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Infection. American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Annual Meeting. (virtual). Poster Presentation.

20. April 2021. Yousuf, F., King, R., Ainger, T., & Hessler A. (2021). Autoimmune encephalitis following recovery of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Neurology, 96 (15 Supplement), (2756).

21. July 2021. King, R., Hessler, A., Yousuf, F., & Ainger, T. (2021). Autoimmune encephalitis following recovery of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection. 2021 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference. Los Angeles, CA. Accepted for platform presentation; sessions canceled.

22. February 2022. Ainger, T.J. Seeing Through the Brain Fog: The Heterogeneous Presentation of Post-Covid Encephalopathy. International Neuropsychological Society (INS) Annual Meeting. New Orleans, LA. (virtual). Poster Presentation.

23. April 2022. Nguyen, T., Abusamra, K., Ainger, T.J., & Ebong, I. Attitudes, Beliefs and Experiences of an Academic Neurology Department Regarding Systemic Racism: University of Kentucky Neurology Residency Study. American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting. Seattle, WA. Poster Presentation.

24. April 2022. Nguyen, T.T., Abusamra, K., Ainger, T., & Ebong, I. (2022). Attitudes, beliefs, and experiences of an academic neurology department regarding systemic racism: University of Kentucky neurology residency study (P18-13.001). Neurology, 98 (18 Supplement), 1188.

25. July 2022. Farrell, A., Ward, M., Cox, C. Cummings, K., & Ainger, T.J. Preparing DAs for A Resilient Career: Research in Progress. Liverpool John Moores Arts, Professional & Social Sciences Research Conference. Liverpool, UK. Podium Presentation.

26. December 2022. Thomas, S., Ainger, T.J., Mathias, S., Bensalem-Owen, M., & Mirza, F. De Novo Psychosis After Epilepsy Surgery: A 12-Year Single Institution Case-Control Study. American Epilepsy Society (AES) Annual Meeting. Nashville, TN. Poster Presentation.

29. September 2023. Ainger, T., Mirza, F., & Mathias, S. (2023). Is it epilepsy, or is it “X”? Turner Syndrome as a confound in epilepsy evaluation and care. International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) 35th International Epilepsy Congress (IEC). Dublin, Ireland. Poster Presentation.

30. September 2023. Thomas, S., Ainger, T.J., Mathias, S., Bensalem-Owen, M., & Mirza, F. De Novo Psychosis After Epilepsy Surgery: A 12-Year Single Institution Case-Control Study. International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) 35th International Epilepsy Congress (IEC). Dublin, Ireland. Poster Presentation.

31. October 2023. Farrell, A.L., Ainger, T.J., Knight, L.D., & Jarrell, H. Exploring Trauma, Stress, and Resilience in Medical Examiner/Coroner Contexts: Results of the First Phase of a Mixed Study. National Association of Medical Examiners (N.A.M.E.) Annual Meeting. San Jose, CA. Platform Presentation.

32. December 2023. Ainger, T.J. Professional Wellness in Epilepsy Care – Taking it Home: The Effects of Burnout on Home and Family Life. American Epilepsy Society (AES) Annual Meeting. Orlando, FL. AES Wellness SIG Podium Presentation.

33. December 2023. Azeem, M., Clay, J., Mahuwala, Z., Kapoor, S., Mirza, F., Ainger, T.J., & Bensalem-Owen, M. Helicopter Blade Sound as Part of Auditory Phenomenology Observed During Electrical Stimulation of Heschel’s Gyrus. American Epilepsy Society (AES) Annual Meeting. Orlando, FL. Poster Presentation.

34. February 2024. Bojarski, L., & Ainger, T.J. An Analysis of ACGME Resident Well-Being Survey Validity. 2024 Innovations in Medical Education Online Conference (IME). Los Angeles, CA (virtual). Poster Presentation.

35. February 2024. Ainger, T.J., Cueli, A., & Mirza, F. Collaborative Cognitive Measurement and Outcome Monitoring in Low-Grade Glioma Resection: A Pilot Study. International Neuropsychological Society (INS) 52nd Annual Meeting. New York, NY. Paper Presentation.

36. February 2024. Azeem, M., Wilkerson, P., Mahuwala, Z., Kapoor, S., Mirza, F., Ainger, T.J., Bensalem-Owen, M, & Clay, J. “Heschel’s Gyro”: A Unique Auditory Aura Phenomenology Observed During Cortical Stimulation. American Clinical Neurophysiology Society (ACNS) Annual Meeting. Orlando, FL. Poster Presentation.

37. April 2024. Bojarski, L., & Ainger, T.J. An Analysis of ACGME Resident Well-Being Survey Validity. American Academy of Neurology (AAN) 2024 Annual Meeting. Denver, CO. Poster Presentation.

38. September 2024. Azeem, M., Wilkerson, P., Mahuwala, Z., Kapoor, S., Mirza, F., Ainger, T.J., Bensalem-Owen, M, & Clay, J. “Heschel’s Gyro”: A Unique Auditory Aura Phenomenology Observed During Cortical Stimulation. International Congress of Clinical Neurophysiology (ICCN) 2024 Meeting. Jakarta, Indonesia. Poster Presentation.

39. December 2024. Bacus, P. & Ainger, T.J.. “Seizure Burden, Cognitive Outcomes and Medication Reduction Following Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery: A Single Institution Experience. American Epilepsy Society (AES) Annual Meeting. Los Angeles, CA. Accepted for Poster Presentation.