Mentors

Alexander Bassuk, MD, PhD

Elizabeth Newell, MD

Program Start

August 2021

Research 

My research focuses on neuroinflammation following traumatic brain injury. I am particularly interested in the effects of acquired injury on the developing brain, and hope to use my neuroscience degree to help children who suffer from neurologic disorders.

Awards

2019 - Trainee Poster Competition Finalist, National Neurotrauma Symposium, July 1

2022 - Carver College of Medicine Trainee Scholar Award

Publications

Evans LP, Woll AW, Wu S, Todd BP, Hehr N, Hedberg-Buenz A, Anderson MG, Newell EA, Ferguson PJ, Mahajan VB, Harper MM, Bassuk AG. Modulation of Post-Traumatic Immune Response Using the IL-1 Receptor Antagonist Anakinra for Improved Visual Outcomes. J Neurotrauma. 2020 Jun 15;37(12):1463-1480. doi: 10.1089/neu.2019.6725. Epub 2020 Mar 16. PubMed PMID: 32056479; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC7249480.

Todd BP, Chimenti MS, Luo Z, Ferguson PJ, Bassuk AG, Newell EA. Traumatic brain injury results in unique microglial and astrocyte transcriptomes enriched for type I interferon response. J Neuroinflammation. 2021 Jul 5;18(1):151. doi: 10.1186/s12974-021-02197-w. PubMed PMID: 34225752; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC8259035.

Dissertation Topic

The role of type I interferon signaling in the neuroimmune response to traumatic brain injury

Thesis Defense Date

September 2025

Current Position

Student - Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP)

University of Iowa