Eric S. Semmel, Ph.D., L.P.

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SUMMARY

Eric S. Semmel, Ph.D., L.P., is a clinical neuropsychologist whose research centers on understanding neurocognitive and behavioral outcomes in children, adolescents and young adults with complex medical conditions. He is especially focused on improving the early identification of patients at risk of poor outcomes. This allows more effective allocation of resources and therapies to enhance each individual's quality of life and independence. Dr. Semmel's work integrates neuropsychological testing and neuroimaging techniques such as functional MRI to explore the neurological underpinnings of patient outcomes. He also is interested in using multivariate patient risk profiles to develop more robust models of risk and resilience.

Focus areas

• Long-term outcomes in pediatric brain tumor survivors. Dr. Semmel's graduate research centered on understanding persistent, long-term changes in brain function and the associated neurocognitive outcomes in young adults who were treated for brain tumors during childhood. His work characterized features of brain networks using graph analysis of functional MRI (fMRI) data and examined these network features in relation to neuropsychological outcomes of interest.
• Postsurgical outcomes in pediatric epilepsy. Dr. Semmel studies how healthcare professionals can best predict who is at risk of functional decline following surgical intervention for pediatric epilepsy. He is currently part of a workgroup within the Pediatric Epilepsy Research Consortium that aims to develop research-informed guidelines for estimating risk during the presurgical evaluation. He also is exploring the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques to improve the accuracy of these predictions.
• Early predictors of recovery in acquired brain injury. Dr. Semmel seeks to predict long-term outcomes for patients in the acute phase of acquired brain injuries. Through a collaboration with other Mayo Clinic clinicians, he works to integrate neuroimaging, serial neurocognitive assessments and other medical variables to develop a predictive model for outcomes in conditions of consciousness.

Significance to patient care

Dr. Semmel studies patients with medical conditions that can affect how well the brain functions. Difficulties with brain functioning can include trouble processing information efficiently, learning and remembering new things, focusing and paying attention and other thinking skills. When people have difficulty with these brain functions, it can affect their ability to learn, live independently and enjoy a good quality of life. Dr. Semmel's work helps healthcare professionals identify patients who are at the highest risk earlier, so they can receive treatment faster.

Professional highlights

• Georgia State University:
  • Brains & Behavior Research Fellowship, Neuroscience Institute, 2016-2020.
  • Invited Speaker, Brains & Behavior Fellowship Retreat, Neuroscience Institute, 2022.
  • Richard Morrell Outstanding Graduate Student in Psychology Award, 2022.
• Mayo Clinic Howard P. Rome Psychology Fellow Academic Writing Award, 2025.