Ruiqing Sun

Ruiqing Sun, MD, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurology at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB). Her clinical and research expertise spans neurology subspecialties including epilepsy, headache, stroke, neurodegenerative disorders, and movement disorders. She holds multiple advanced degrees: Bachelor of Medicine from Shandong Medical University (1989), Master of Medicine from Qingdao University (1995), PhD from Peking University (2001), and an additional MD from University of Science, Arts and Technology (2015). Her postgraduate training includes an Internal Medicine internship at UTMB (2017), Neurology residency (2020), and an Epilepsy Fellowship at UT Health Science Center (2021).

Dr. Sun’s research focuses on pain mechanisms, neurophysiological pathways, and translational therapies. Her work has explored roles of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), protein kinase signaling, and substance P in pain modulation. Notable contributions include studies on capsaicin-induced hyperalgesia and the discovery of nocistatin’s role in reversing morphine tolerance. She has also investigated melatonin analogs for neuropathic pain relief and electrical stimulation therapies.

Her clinical interests include epilepsy electroencephalography, stroke management, and headache disorders. Recent publications highlight rare neurological case studies such as ecchordosis physaliphora presenting with abducens nerve palsy. Awards include Excellence in Quality Improvement (2020), top RITE score recognition (2020), and multiple travel awards from the American Pain Society.

Professional memberships span major neurology organizations: American Epilepsy Society (2020–present), American Academy of Neurology (2017–present), and Society for Neuroscience (2002–2009). Her work bridges basic science discoveries with clinical applications in acute and chronic neurological conditions.