Aileen J Anderson

Aileen J. Anderson, PhD, is a Professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Director of the Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center at the University of California, Irvine (UCI). She holds joint appointments in the Departments of Anatomy & Neurobiology and Neurosurgery. Her research focuses on neuroregeneration, neuroinflammation, and translational therapies for spinal cord injury (SCI) and traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Anderson's work spans preclinical and early clinical studies, investigating the use of neural stem cells, biomaterials, and immunomodulatory strategies to promote repair and functional recovery. She has pioneered studies on the role of complement proteins like C1q in modulating neural stem cell behavior and microglial polarization, as well as the development of minimally invasive techniques for cerebrospinal fluid sampling to study neuroinflammation.

Her contributions include advancements in biomaterial bridges for spinal cord repair, nanoparticle-based therapies for neuropathic pain, and cryopreserved neural stem cell transplantation for traumatic brain injury. Anderson collaborates widely, including with Brian J. Cummings and Lonnie D. Shea, to translate discoveries into clinical applications. Her research has been supported by grants from the NIH and other institutions.

Anderson’s labs at UCI emphasize interdisciplinary approaches, combining cell biology, immunology, and engineering to address the challenges of CNS injury. Her work highlights the importance of understanding inflammatory microenvironments and leveraging stem cells and biomaterials to enhance neuroplasticity and repair.