An Upstate scientist has found a way to identify concussions in children and predict how long their recovery will take -- using a simple saliva test. An Upstate scientist has found a way to identify concussions in children and predict how long their recovery will take -- using a simple saliva test. Frank Middleton, PhD Frank Middleton, PhD, works with a new class of molecules called micro RNA, in collaboration with Steven Hicks, MD, PhD, an Upstate graduate working at Penn State Health in Hershey, Pa. The pair would like to create a simple test -- similar to the swab that's used for a rapid strep test -- that could be used for concussion., works with a new class of molecules called micro RNA, in collaboration with Steven Hicks, MD, PhD, an Upstate graduate working at Penn State Health in Hershey, Pa. The pair would like to create a simple test -- similar to the swab that's used for a rapid strep test -- that could be used for concussion.