معرفی
Andrew N. Stewart is an Assistant Professor at the Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center (SCoBIRC) in the Department of Neuroscience at the University of Kentucky. His research program focuses on understanding and overcoming barriers to regeneration and functional recovery during chronic stages of spinal cord injury (SCI), with direct translational goals for improving motor and sensory outcomes in paralyzed individuals.
Education
- Postdoctoral Fellowship in Physiology, Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, University of Kentucky
- Ph.D. in Neuroscience, Central Michigan University
- M.S. in Neuroscience, Central Michigan University
- B.S. in Kinesiology, University of Michigan
Research Interests
Dr. Stewart's work centers on three interconnected domains: (1) elucidating mechanisms of regenerative failure in chronic SCI environments, particularly sustained inflammation's role in impairing function; (2) developing clinically viable gene-therapy approaches to induce axon regeneration and neuromodulation in chronically injured tissue; and (3) strategically combining stem cell transplants with biomaterials to overcome extracellular matrix barriers. His lab employs genetic engineering to translate these insights into therapies that restore neurological function, driven by collaboration with the SCI community to ensure research relevance.
Advising and Community Engagement
The Stewart Lab actively recruits undergraduate and graduate students while prioritizing community involvement from individuals living with SCI. This partnership guides research direction, refines scientific communication, and provides lab members with critical lived-experience insights to enhance translational impact. The lab emphasizes deliberate efforts to convert scientific discoveries into tangible benefits for the SCI population.
Laboratory
Operating as the Chronic Neurorepair for Spinal Cord Injury Lab within SCoBIRC, the team utilizes advanced genetic engineering techniques to dissect molecular barriers in chronic SCI. Current projects investigate combinatorial strategies—such as augmenting gene therapies with biomaterial scaffolds—to achieve robust axon growth in previously non-permissive chronic lesions, with strong emphasis on clinical applicability.
