Lee A. Shapiro

Lee A. Shapiro, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Neuroscience & Experimental Therapeutics at Texas A&M University’s School of Medicine. His research focuses on neuroanatomical, neuropathological, and neuroimmune mechanisms underlying traumatic brain injury (TBI), Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, and other neurodegenerative disorders. He investigates gut-brain interactions, peripheral immune contributions, and therapeutic strategies targeting these pathways. His lab employs advanced microscopy, electrophysiology, and animal models to study disease mechanisms and outcomes such as cognitive impairment and depression.

Dr. Shapiro earned his PhD in neuroscience from the State University of New York, Stony Brook, and completed postdoctoral training at the University of California, Irvine. He leads a research program supported by grants from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), the Department of Defense (DOD), and the Woodnext Foundation. His work emphasizes translational research and training the next generation of scientists across undergraduate, graduate, medical, and postdoctoral levels.

Key areas of investigation include identifying novel therapeutic targets for TBI and Alzheimer’s disease, understanding post-traumatic epilepsy, and exploring the role of peripheral organs (e.g., gut, spleen) in neurological disorders. His lab’s findings highlight dual therapeutic targets for neurodegenerative and immune-related pathologies.