Christine Hsieh

Christine Hsieh, PhD, BS, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). She holds appointments at the San Francisco VA Medical Center and leads the Hsieh Lab, focusing on neuroimmunology and innate immunity. Her research investigates mechanisms underlying traumatic brain injury (TBI) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), particularly the role of microglial phenotypes and macrophage activation in disease progression. The lab employs mouse models, single-cell transcriptomics, and pharmacological interventions to identify therapeutic targets for neurodegenerative conditions and TBI-related disabilities. Dr. Hsieh is affiliated with the UCSF Division of Rheumatology and the VA Immunology Group, collaborating on projects involving immunological mechanisms in neurodegenerative diseases.

Education includes a BS in Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology from UCLA (1999, Magna Cum Laude), a PhD in Immunology from Stanford University (2006), and postdoctoral training in Rheumatology at UCSF (2010). Honors include the NIH Ruth L. Kirschstein Award (2007-2009), VA Career Development Award (2011-2015), and the 2022 Innovation Award from Curia Biologics.

Research interests emphasize modulation of neuroinflammation to improve disease outcomes, with a focus on translational approaches for unmet clinical needs. The lab actively recruits postdoctoral fellows and volunteers, and collaborates on neuroimmunology studies within the VA Immunology Group, which includes four principal investigators studying diverse immune-mediated conditions.

Key scientific contributions include studies on TREM2 signaling in neurodegeneration, CCR2 deficiency in TBI recovery, and the role of galectin-3 in Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis. Dr. Hsieh’s work integrates molecular immunology with clinical relevance, bridging basic science and potential therapeutic applications for brain injury and dementia.