Alexander Kusnecov

Alexander Kusnecov is a Professor and Vice-Chair/Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Psychology at Rutgers University. He obtained his PhD in 1990 from the University of Newcastle, followed by postdoctoral training at the University of Rochester Medical School and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. His research focuses on psychoneuroimmunology, exploring how immune system events influence brain function, behavior, and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. His work emphasizes cytokines (e.g., TNF, CRH) and superantigenic toxins in modulating cognitive/emotional states. He leads the behavioral neuroscience program and contributes to the Health Psychology program and Rutgers Mind-Body Center, investigating links between psychosocial factors, aging, and immunity.

Education:

• PhD in Psychology, University of Newcastle (1990)
• Postdoctoral Fellowships: University of Rochester (Psychiatry), University of Pittsburgh (Pathology)

Research focuses on:

• Neuroinflammation mechanisms in neurodegenerative diseases
• Cytokine-driven behavioral changes (anxiety, cognition)
• Animal models of immune challenges (e.g., staphylococcal toxins)
• Immune-endocrine interactions in stress responses

His NIH-funded studies examine how immune activation alters brain function, with recent work on mitochondrial autophagy in tauopathies and astrocytic signaling in neurodegeneration. Collaborations include the Mind-Body Center’s work on psychosocial variables and immunity in aging populations.

Grant support includes National Institute of Mental Health funding for projects on cytokine-mediated behavioral effects. His lab investigates translational models of immune-brain interactions, with a focus on developing biomarkers for neuroinflammatory disorders.