Scientific Faculty
Scientific
Faculty
Hassan Al-Ali, Ph.D.
Research Assistant Professor, Department of Neurological Surgery
Research Interests: Understanding the signaling pathways that regulate axon growth, and identifying components of those pathways that can be targeted with drugs to induce robust axon regeneration
(305) 243-4875
Coleen M. Atkins, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Neurological Surgery
Research Interests: Developing Novel Therapies for Traumatic Brain Injury
(305) 243-4698
Nagi G. Ayad, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Neurological Surgery
Co-Director, University of Miami Brain Tumor Initiative
Research Interests: Identifying therapeutic combinations in brain cancer and spinal cord injury
(305) 243-7695
John Bixby, Ph.D.
Professor, Departments of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology and Neurological Surgery
Research Interests: High Content Screening, Axon Regeneration and Drug Discovery
(305) 243-4874
Roberta Brambilla, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Neurological Surgery
Research Interests: Neuroinflammation and neuro-immune interactions in neurological disease
(305) 243-7131
Helen M. Bramlett, Ph.D.
Professor, Department of Neurological Surgery
Research Interests: The Pathophysiology and Treatment of CNS Injury
(305) 243-8926
Katie Gant, Ph.D.
Director of Education and Outreach, The Miami Project
Research Assistant Professor, Department of Neurological Surgery
Research Interests: Clinical Trials and Neuroengineering
(305) 243-7108
David R. Gater, Jr., M.D., Ph.D., M.S.
Professor and Chair, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Chief Medical Officer of the Christine E. Lynn Rehabilitation Center for The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis
Co-Director, NIDILRR South Florida Spinal Cord Injury Model System
Research Interests:
(305) 243-9516
Mousumi Ghosh, Ph.D.
Research Assistant Professor, Department of Neurological Surgery
Research Interests: Altering Host Glial Responses following CNS Injury and Disease to Promote Repair
(305) 243-9846
James D. Guest, M.D., Ph.D.
Clinical Professor, Department of Neurological Surgery
Research Interests: Augmented Recovery after SCI; Application of Therapeutic Combinations in Preclinical Studies, and Early Phase Clinical Trials
(305) 243-7059
Gillian A. Hotz, Ph.D.
Research Professor, Department of Neurological Surgery
Director, KiDZ Neuroscience Center
Director, Concussion WalkSafe®, BikeSafe®, and SkateSafe® Programs
Research Interests: Neurocognitive Deficits and Injury Prevention
(305) 243-4004
Robert W. Keane, Ph.D.
Professor, Departments of Physiology & Biophysics and Neurological Surgery
Research Interests: Regulation of Innate Immunity after CNS Trauma
(305) 243-5726
Jae K. Lee, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Neurological Surgery
Research Interests: Glial and Fibrotic Scar Formation in the CNS; Axon Regeneration
(305) 243-2646
Vance Lemmon, Ph.D.
Walter G. Ross Distinguished Chair in Developmental Neuroscience
Professor, Department of Neurological Surgery
Research Interests: High Content Screening and Functional Genomics of the Nervous System
(305) 243-8184
Daniel J. Liebl, Ph.D.
Professor, Department of Neurological Surgery
Research Interests: Molecular Mechanisms that Regulate Cellular Dysfunction and Death Following CNS Injury; Mechanisms to Promote Regeneration and Recovery
(305) 243-8183
Alberto Martinez-Arizala, M.D.
Clinical Associate Professor, Departments of Neurology, Neurological Surgery and Orthopedics & Rehabilitation Medicine
Research Interests: Pathophysiology and Treatment of Secondary Complications in Spinal Cord Injury
(305) 243-7108
Mark S. Nash, Ph.D., FACSM
Associate Scientific Director for Research, The Miami Project
Vice-Chair for Research, Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Professor, Departments of Neurological Surgery, Physical Medicine & Medicine and Physical Therapy
Co-Director, DHHS-NIDILRR South Florida SCI Model System
Research Interests: Physiological Assessment of Secondary Complications following SCI: Cardiometabolic and Vascular Physiology, Cardiovascular Pathology, Exercise and Nutritional Biochemistry, Electrical Stimulation and Bionics for Movement and Health
(305) 243-7108
Brian R. Noga, Ph.D.
Research Associate Professor, Department of Neurological Surgery
Research Interests: Brain and Spinal Mechanisms Controlling Walking
(305) 243-8184
Kevin Park, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Neurological Surgery
Research Interests: Mechanisms of Axon Regeneration and Neuroprotection
(305) 243-2493
Damien D. Pearse, Ph.D.
The John M. and Jocelyn H.K. Watkins Distinguished Chair in Cell Therapies
Professor, Department of Neurological Surgery
Research Interests: Exploration and Translation of Therapeutic Strategies to Repair the Injured Spinal Cord and Brain
(305) 243-8185
Juan Pablo de Rivero Vaccari, Ph.D., M.S.B.A.
Research Assistant Professor, Department of Neurological Surgery
Research Interests: Innate Immunity in CNS injury and Disease
(305) 243-1252
Jacqueline Sagen, Ph.D., M.B.A.
Professor, Department of Neurological Surgery
Research Interests: Cell Transplantation and Gene Therapies for Alleviation of Chronic Pain
(305) 243-5618
Pantelis Tsoulfas, M.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Neurological Surgery and Cell Biology & Anatomy
Research Interests: Neurotrophins: Specificity of Action
(305) 243-3433
Michael Y. Wang, M.D.
Chief of Neurosurgery, University of Miami Hospital
Professor, Departments of Neurological Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine
Research Interests: Spinal Cord Injury Outcomes
Eva Widerstrom-Noga, Ph.D.
Research Professor, Department of Neurological Surgery and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Neuroscience Program
Health Scientist, Veterans Affairs
Research Interests: Neurotrauma-related Neuropathic Pain Phenotypes and Biomarkers; Standards for Pain Assessment, Taxonomy and Classification after Spinal Cord Injury
(305) 243-7125