Christopher John Nowinski (born September 24, 1978) is an American neuroscientist, author and former professional wrestler. After extensively researching concussions in American football, Nowinski co-founded the Concussion Legacy Foundation, where he is currently the CEO, and co-founded Boston University's CTE Center. During his wrestling career he performed for World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). Early life and education Nowinski attended John Hersey High School in Arlington Heights, Illinois, serving as team captain of the football and basketball teams. He graduated cum laude from Harvard with a Bachelor of Arts in sociology in 2000. Nowinski played college football for the Crimson as a defensive tackle, earning second-team All-Ivy League honors. He worked as a pharmaceutical and biotech consultant in Boston shortly after graduation. In 2017, he graduated with a Ph.D. in Behavioral Neuroscience from Boston University. Professional wrestling career Early career Nowinski did not begin watching wrestling until his senior year of college. After graduating from Harvard, he joined Killer Kowalski's wrestling school in Malden, Massachusetts. Nowinski became one of the three finalists on WWE's (at the time trading as WWF) first season of Tough Enough, which Maven Huffman won. After failing to win the competition, Nowinski made appearances in independent promotions before being hired by WWF and entering its developmental territories. Nowinski competed as Chris Harvard, capitalizing on his status as an alumnus of Harvard University. Nowinski made his first major independent appearance in London, UK for the Frontier Wrestling Alliance promotion at its Lights Camera Action show on December 14, 2001. Nowinski competed in its main event teaming up with Alex Shane to defeat Drew McDonald and Flash Barker. Though this was the only show Nowinski did for the promotion, he regards it as the best promotion he has ever worked for outside of WWE. World Wrestling Entertainment (2002–2003) On the June 10, 2002, episode of Raw, Nowinski debuted in WWE as a heel, helping William Regal beat Bradshaw in a European Championship match. Nowinski had a short-lived alliance with Regal, defeating Spike Dudley in his debut match the following week with Regal in his corner. Nowinski teamed with Regal on the June 24 episode of Raw, defeating Bradshaw and Dudley. Nowinski continued to feud with Bradshaw over the next few weeks, with their feud ending on the July 8 episode of Raw, where Nowinski teamed with Jackie Gayda in a losing effort against Bradshaw and Trish Stratus, while also trying