Joan Walter, JD, PA, is the Chief Operating Officer and Vice President for Military Medical Research at the Samueli Institute, a non-profit research institution in Alexandria, VA. She received her Juris Doctor (JD) degree from Rutgers School of Law in Newark, NJ, and her Physician’s Assistant degree from Touro College/State University of New York.
Ms. Walter came to the Samueli Institute in March of 2005, bringing more than 15 years’ research and research management experience in military medical research, with significant expertise in traumatic brain injury and pain management. She is particularly committed to the health and resilience of our service members and their families, and as director of the Institute’s Center for Research on Integrative Medicine (CRIMM) in the Military, has developed a CRIMM program to develop research methodology to measure resilience outcomes and to pilot test resilience training programs in military populations. Before joining the Samueli Institute, Joan’s work experience included positions held at both civilian and military institutions. She has taken a diverse career path of discovery and inquiry into clinical practice and research in the Neurosciences; law and business development; and has acquired skills in translating research initiatives into military programs and policy. Prior to joining the Samueli Institute, Ms. Walter worked for the Henry M. Jackson Foundation (HJF), and held the title of Scientific Director of the Comprehensive Neuroscience Program at National Naval Medical Center, where her work included a project to develop an Integrative Spine Center. Earlier positions at HJF included Assistant Director for Clinical Services for the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center (DVBIC) at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
Ms. Walter has worked collaboratively with both Dr. Coulter and Dr. Goertz over the past 5 years, while managing a research portfolio in excess of $25 million, a staff of 15 people, more than 50 active research projects, and dozens of programs and projects in development.