I am a PhD neuroscientist focused on uncovering how the developing brain responds to traumatic injury. My research centers on pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI), with an emphasis on diffuse axonal injury and the dynamic role of microglia in shaping early neuroinflammatory responses. Using clinically relevant experimental models alongside high-dimensional imaging and computational analysis, I study how subtle injuries can trigger powerful cellular changes that are often missed by traditional approaches.
A key aspect of my work involves advanced microglial phenotyping, where I apply quantitative morphology and clustering methods to define distinct activation states in the injured brain. This approach allows me to move beyond descriptive observations and uncover patterns that may inform more precise and effective therapeutic strategies. I am particularly interested in the acute phase of injury, where rapid biological responses may set the stage for long-term outcomes.
My goal is to bridge fundamental neuroscience with translational impact by developing tools and insights that better reflect pediatric biology—an area that remains significantly understudied. I am driven by the challenge of revealing what is not immediately visible in brain injury and translating those discoveries into meaningful advances in care.