Tanner J. Williford

Research Assistant (2021-Current) / NoordaCOM / Dr. Kyle Bills PhD, DC & Dr. David Sant PhD

Department of Cognition and Neuroscience

Project: Neurocognitive Effects in Chronic Intractable Migraine Patients

• Assisted in treatment therapy for patients which includes neurocognitive and EEG evaluations
• Facilitated therapy sessions which includes vibration therapy, traction therapy, neurocognitive tasks, and nutritional regimens

Project: Mechanical Stimulation in Opioid Withdrawal

• Assisted in facilitating study sessions with participants, which includes neurocognitive and EEG evaluations

Research Assistant (2021-Current) / NoordaCOM / Dr. Voicu Ciobanu MD

Department of Pathology 

Project: Scapular Primary Bone Leiomyoma 

• Analyzed a case presentation of a rare tumor and prepared a manuscript discussing our findings

Lead Research Assistant (2019-2020) / BYU / Dr. Rebecca Lundwall
Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Cognitive Development Lab

• Promoted to Lead Research Assistant within 1 year
• Gained 1,000+ hours of experience in the lab
• Led a team of 6+ research assistants through the process of gathering, interpreting, and presenting data
• Trained new members of the general lab on all studies in the Neurocognitive Development Lab
• Supervised and facilitated study sessions with over 100 participants
  

Research Assistant (2018-2019) / BYU / Dr. Rebecca Lundwall

• Assisted Professor Rebecca Lundwall in conducting research on the cognitive development of children with Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)

Poster Presentations

Williford, T. J., Shwany A., Sant, D., Bills, K. (2023). Neurocognitive Considerations in Intractable Chronic Migraine with Aura. Presented at the American Neuropsychiatric Association 33rd Annual Meeting. Boston, MA.

Williford, T. J., Chemiti, P., Allen, M., Burrell, B., Chavez, S., Jogin, R., Sant, D., Kriak, J., Bills, K. (2023). Reversible Emerging Neuropsychological Pattern in Chronic Intractable Migraine. Presented at the annual Roseman Symposium. South Jordan, UT. 

Jogin, R., McFarland, K., Naik, A., Williford, T. J., Paul, A., Conway, M., Kriak, J., Sant, D., Bills, K. (2023). Appearance of Two Distinct Clusters of Glucose Dysregulation in Chronic Intractable Migraine. Presented at the annual Roseman Symposium. South Jordan, UT. 

Guzman, S., Williford, T. J., Ciobanu V., Qorbani A. (2023). Scapular Primary Bone Leiomyoma with Aggressive Clinical Features. Presented at the annual NoordaCOM Research Symposium. Provo, UT. 

Mohrbacher. M., Williford, T. J., Peters, J., Obilor, E., Akunyili, A. (2023). Confidence in Treating LGBTQIA+ Populations: An Assessment of Self and Curriculum by Students at NoordaCOM. Presented at the annual NoordaCOM Research Symposium. Provo, UT. 

Shwany, A., Lashiker, N., Jogin, R., Williford, T. J., Emego, J., McFarland, K., Sant, D., Steffenson, S., Bills, K. (2022). Peripheral Mechanoreceptor Activation Modulates Mesolimbic GABA and Dopamine Neurons and Ameliorates Withdrawal Symptoms in Ethanol Dependant Rats. Presented at the annual Roseman Symposium. South Jordan, UT. 

Williford, T. J., Guzman, S., Kriak, J., Sant, D., Bills, K. (2022). Holistic Treatment of Adolescent Patients with Intractable Migraines and Reactive Hypoglycemia Improves Cognitive Function and Migraine Frequency. Presented at Utah Osteopathic Medical Association annual research conference. Lehi, UT.

Sedghi, N., Guzman, S., Williford, T. J., Soti, S., Silvers, B., Ciobanu, V., Qorbani, A. (2022). Superficial Angiomyxoma of the Palm; a Rare Tumor in an Extremely Rare Location. Presented at the annual NoordaCOM Research Symposium. Provo, UT. 

Lundwall, R. A., Williford, T. J., & Farstead, B. (2020). Performance Similarities and Differences Observed in Children on Sustained and Reflexive Attention Tasks.

Farstead, B., Williford T. J., Muldowney, Stewart V., Schow H., & Lundwall, R.A. (2020) Child Attention: It’s Not Rocket Science (Reflexive vs. Sustained). Presented at the 2020 Utah Conference on Undergraduate Research (UCUR). Logan, UT.

Farstead, B., Williford T. J., Muldowney, Stewart V., Schow H., & Lundwall, R.A. (2020) Child Attention: Reflexive vs. Sustained. Presented at the 2020 Annual Conference of the Utah Academy of Sciences, Arts & Letters. Salt Lake City, UT.

Oral Presentations

Williford, T. J., Chemiti, P., Allen, M., Burrell, B., Chavez, S., Jogin, R., Sant, D., Kriak, J., Bills, K. (2023). Reversible Emerging Neuropsychological Pattern in Chronic Intractable Migraine. Presented at the annual NoordaCOM Research Symposium. Provo, UT. 

Shwany, A., Lashiker, N., Jogin, R., Emego, J., Williford, T. J., McFarland, K., Sant, D., Steffenson, S., Bills, K. (2022). Peripheral Mechanoreceptor Activation Modulates Mesolimbic GABA and Dopamine Neurons and Ameliorates Withdrawal Symptoms in Ethanol Dependent Rats. Presented at the annual NoordaCOM Research Symposium. Provo, UT. 

Williford, T. J., Magoffin, W., Johnston, D., Emego, J., Sant, D., Bills, K. (2022). Mechanical Stimulation in Opioid Withdrawal Clinical Study. Presented at NoordaCOM Research Day. Provo, UT. 

Neurocognitive Technician (03/2019-07/2021) / BYU / Kyle Bills, D.C., Ph.D.
The Migraine and Neurological Rehabilitation Center
• Closely worked with Dr. Kyle Bills for approximately 340 clinical hours
• Assisting in administering neurocognitive evaluations
• Performing weekly consultations with patients on pain management and treatment progress
• Tasked with tailoring treatment plans based on neurocognitive deficits
• Educating patients on brain and cognitive functions pertaining to their injuries
• Fulfilling the standard for continuous education on neurocognitive and brain function

Student Intern (03/2019-08/2020)
Provo Rehabilitation Center, Provo, Utah
• Observed and documented overt behaviors while having a previous understanding of the underlying conditions or ailment
• Assisted in Recreational Therapy with a senior population
• Conducted mood assessments on patients with neurological deficits
• Administered Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessments to determine trends and document the progress of individual rehabilitation

Vice President, Neuropsychiatric Association (03/2023-12/2023)

Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine, Provo, Utah 

• Provided advice and educational support to members of the association
• Organized and facilitated events which included socials, panels, and meet-and-greets with local health care professionals
• Assisted in establishing a local presence with physicians in Neurology and Psychiatry
• Assisted in building rapport with healthcare professionals for research opportunities, mentorships, and guest speakers for future events
• Assisted the president with their duties as needed

Research Chair, Pride Club (08/2022-04/2023)

Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine, Provo, Utah 

• Organized and facilitated presentations and club meetings on matters of research on the subject of pride
• Assisted in the development of multiple research projects
• Responsible for mediating research interests from club members to the presidency

Founders Committee Member, TutoringForYouth (03/2020-07/2020)
• Worked closely with three peers to create and launch a free tutoring service for high school students due to COVID-19
• Established a consistent schedule of free tutoring services Monday-Saturday from 8:00am to 8:00pm
• Communicated with Brigham Young University academic departments to promote the program and recruit tutors
• Individually created an automated training system, successfully training and scheduling over 70 tutors
• Networked with local school districts to promote the tutoring service
• Created and manage an easily accessible website for students and parent to navigate and obtain assistance

Executive Director / BYU / Student Association – Clubs (08/2018-04/2020)
Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah
• Closely managed a team of six program directors and 20+ volunteers
• Planned and facilitated events with 800+ participants on a weekly basis
• Managed communication and accommodations with 150+ clubs
• Hosted various fundraising and philanthropic events
• Led a team tasked with marketing and advertising for the Student Association and related clubs
• Closely managed the department budget for the entire academic year

Vice president, Psychology Association / BYU / Psychology Department (08/2019-03/2020)
Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah
• Served as Vice President for the Psychology Department Academic Club, providing advice and educational support to more than 200 Psychology major students at Brigham Young University
• Organized and facilitated events which included socials, panels, seminars, luncheons, and Professor debates
• Worked with faculty members to evaluate budgets, approve events, and present on the associations progress and future endeavors