Alan I. Faden

Alan I. Faden, MD is the David S. Brown Professor of Trauma and Professor of Anesthesiology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, with secondary appointments in Neurosurgery, Neurobiology, Neurology, and Psychiatry. He also serves as Associate Dean for Trans-Campus Research Advancement and Co-Director of the Center for Brain, Health & Human Performance, spanning the Baltimore and College Park campuses.

Education:

• BA, Physics – University of Pennsylvania, 1966
• Graduate Studies, History & Philosophy of Science – Indiana University, 1967
• MD – University of Chicago School of Medicine, 1971
• Residency & Chief Residency, Neurology – University of California, San Francisco, 1974–1975

Research Interests: Dr. Faden leads an interdisciplinary program that integrates in vivo and in vitro models of traumatic brain and spinal cord injury with cutting-edge techniques in single-cell transcriptomics, epigenetics, neuroinflammation, neuroimmunology, and behavioral neuroscience. His work elucidates mechanisms of cell death, neuroprotection, and long-term neurodegeneration, emphasizing bidirectional brain–systemic interactions and the influence of aging on injury outcomes.

Publication Trends: Across four decades, Dr. Faden’s >415 peer-reviewed papers trace an evolving focus from early pharmacologic interventions (opiate antagonists, TRH) to molecular mechanisms (excitotoxicity, caspase activation), and onward to cell-cycle pathways, microglial epigenetics, and the intersection of TBI with Alzheimer’s disease. Recent studies emphasize late-onset interventions, sex differences, aging, and metabolic comorbidities, reflecting a translational trajectory toward precision medicine for chronic neurotrauma.

Scientific Awards & Leadership Honors:

• David S. Brown Professorship (2009–present)
• Exceptional Service Medal, Uniformed Services University
• Distinguished Service Award, University of Chicago
• Founding Editor-in-Chief, Neurotherapeutics (2003–2013)
• President, American Society for Experimental NeuroTherapeutics (2006)
• First President, National Neurotrauma Society (1988–1989)
• President, San Francisco Neurological Society (1990–1991)

Grants & Research Support: Dr. Faden’s brain and spinal cord injury programs have received continuous NIH funding for >30 years. He has directed the NIH-funded Center for Shock, Trauma and Anesthesiology Research (STAR) and currently leads multiple R01-level projects targeting microglial reprogramming, IFN-I signaling, and gut-brain axis dysfunction after neurotrauma.

Laboratory & Team: The Laboratory for the Study of Central Nervous System Injury comprises 8 faculty investigators, 8 post-docs, and 5 research assistants, together with rotating graduate and medical students. The lab employs molecular biology, imaging, lipidomics, and behavioral testing to advance neuroprotective strategies from bench to bedside.