Dr. Tommy Wood
Neuroscientist, Researcher, and Athletic Performance Consultant
About Me
When people ask me who I am and what I do, I say something along the lines of “neuroscientist, performance coach, and elite-level professional nerd”. I currently work as an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Neuroscience at the University of Washington, where my laboratory focuses on brain health across the lifespan – conducting research that focuses on ways to treat a range of brain injuries. This includes babies born preterm, adults who experience brain trauma, and the confluence of factors that can affect long-term cognitive function and risk of dementia.
I received a Bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from the University of Cambridge, a medical degree from the University of Oxford, and a PhD in Physiology and Neuroscience from the University of Oslo. I have published dozens of scientific papers and lectured all over the world about brain health, metabolism, physical activity, and human performance. I have also spent more than a decade working as a performance consultant to professional athletes in multiple sports including several Olympians and world champions. Alongside my work in medicine and research, I have worked with several digital health and performance companies to develop easily accessible methods with which to track human health and longevity. I am also a founding trustee and director of the British Society for Lifestyle Medicine, which is the fastest growing lifestyle medicine society in the world, working to develop tools to empower physicians all over the world to improve the health of their local communities through simple lifestyle changes.
My eclectic CV and background cover a variety of different disciplines, from running a team of scientists as part of a neuroscience research program to being a health coach working on-on-one with individuals struggling with a range of health conditions to helping large digital health companies develop ways to support individuals in building new habits and improve their health with small actions. From caring for dementia patients on the wards of St. Thomas’ Hospital in central London to helping Formula 1 drivers maintain focus and performance while driving at 200 miles per hour. Through podcasts and upcoming writing projects I aim to translate my experience and knowledge into actionable advice that anybody can implement to improve their brain health and overall wellbeing.
I currently live in Seattle, WA with my wife, Professor Elizabeth Nance, and our two energetic and goofy boxers, Bowen and Morgan. My hobbies include reading, cooking, lifting heavy things, and being the best dog dad possible.
Research Areas of Interest
Brain Injury
Physiological and metabolic responses to brain injuries including neonatal brain injuries and adult traumatic brain injury and concussions.
Biomarkers of longevity and performance
Leveraging machine learning and large datasets to develop easily accessible methods in which to track biological aging.
Physiological resilience
Environmental, lifestyle, and therapeutic interventions to increase healthspan.
Education
2021 - 2022
Certificate in Applied Biostatistics
University of Washington
2013 - 2017
Ph.D. in Physiology and Neuroscience
University of Oslo
2007 - 2011
B.M. B.Ch. (Medical Degree)
University of Oxford
2004 - 2007
B.A. in Natural Sciences (Biochemistry)
University of Cambridge
Professional Roles & Affiliations
Icelandic Health Symposium
2015 - Present
Board Member and Co-Founder
Journal of Insulin Resistance
2016 - Present
Editorial Board Member
Hintsa Sports Performance, Switzerland
2017 - Present
Performance Consultant
Hintsa Performance, Finalnd
2017 - Present
Scientific Advisory Board Member
British Society of Lifestyle Medicine
2017 - Present
Director and Co-Founder
Department of Pediatrics
2018 - Present
Assistant Professor, University of Washington
Institute for Human and Machine Cognition
2018 - Present
Visiting Research Scientist
Thriva LLC, UK
2019 - Present
Digital Health Consultant
Life Style Medicine, Wiley Publishing
2019 - Present
Associate Editor
humanOS
2019 - Present
Scientific Advisory Board Member
Sidekick Health, Iceland
2021 - Present
Digital Health Consultant
Graduate Program of Neuroscience
2021 - Present
Faculty Member, University of Washington
Division of Neonatology
2021 - Present
Director of Preclinical Research, University of Washington
Society for Pediatric Research
2021 - Present
Member
Institute on Human Development and Disability
2023 - Present
Director of the Animal Behavior Core, University of Washington
Nourish Balance Thrive
2016 - 2019
Chief Scientific Officer
Department of Pediatrics
2017 - 2018
Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Washington