Principal Investigators
Benjamin Segal, MD; MS Program Director, Neurologist
Internationally recognized for his work in multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuroimmunology, with annual NIH research funding in excess of $1.3 million
The Segal lab studies interactions between the immune system and central nervous system (CNS), both in disease and in repair.
Active projects include investigations into the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS) using the animal model, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), as well as the analysis of patient samples in association with MRI and clinical metrics. The goal is to understand how the immune system is dysregulated in MS, how immune cells gain access to the CNS, and how immune cells interact with glial cells, neurons and axons to either cause damage or initiate disease remission.
Another major interest of the lab is immune-driven CNS repair in the setting of neurodegenerative disease or in the aftermath CNS trauma.
Tirisham Victoria Gyang, MD; Assistant Professor
Exploring novel MS treatments, including a targeted dance program for increased motor function, brain connectivity, and wellness in multiple sclerosis and a comparison study of the efficacy and safety of ofatumumab versus teriflunomide in patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis.
Cole Harrington, MD, PhD; Assistant Professor
The primary goal of Dr. Harrington’s lab is understanding how oligodendroglia, the cells that make myelin and wrap axons, are altered in an inflammatory environment and during aging. In multiple sclerosis the autoimmune response results in damage to myelin sheaths or demyelination and loss of oligodendroglia. Oligodendroglia are necessary for restoring myelin sheaths and preventing axonal loss and neurodegeneration in MS lesions. In autoimmune inflammatory mouse models and human MS tissue oligodendroglia assume a variety of transcriptional phenotypes that likely influence their ability to proliferate, migrate, express mature myelin proteins and remyelinate axons. The lab is currently investigating how oligodendrocytes become dysregulated in the setting of inflammation and aging and pathways that may be therapeutic targets for promoting myelin repair. The overall goal of this research is to investigate pathways that result in the development of therapies to prevent disability and restore function in people with MS.
Yinan Zhang, MD; Assistant Professor
Dr. Zhang's studies focus on aging in MS with the goal to improve care for patients taking into consideration a person’s unique biology of aging. He seeks to determine mechanisms of biological aging in people with MS and their associations with disease outcomes. He is also interested in ways to distinguish age-related changes from MS-related disease progression in older adults with MS.
Mireia Guerau, PharmD, PhD; Associate Professor
The mission of the Guerau Applied Immunology Laboratory is to provide better diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) that reduce and/or stop disease. To do so, we investigate epigenetic mechanisms that promote inflammatory immune cells and drive inflammation/autoimmunity.
Ruchika Prakash, PhD; Associate Professor
Dr. Prakash’s research interest is in using imaging techniques to understand the behavioral and neural correlates of cognitive dysfunction in MS.
Clinical Trials
To review currently available studies, click here.