John A. Olschowka

John A. Olschowka, Ph.D., is a Part-Time Professor in the Department of Neuroscience at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. His research specializes in neuroinflammation mechanisms within the central nervous system (CNS), particularly in contexts of injury (trauma, stroke, radiation), Alzheimer's disease, and space radiation effects. He co-leads the O'Banion-Olschowka Labs, focusing on glial cell roles in neurodegeneration and injury response.

Education: Dr. Olschowka earned his Ph.D. in Anatomy from the University of California, Davis (1978), following an M.S. in Anatomy (1974) and B.S. in Zoology (1973) from the same institution. He completed post-doctoral training at Johns Hopkins University.

Research Focus: His work explores cytokine-driven inflammation in CNS pathologies, utilizing transgenic mouse models to study:

• Radiation-induced neuroinflammation and cognitive deficits (NASA-funded)
• Interleukin-1β modulation of amyloid/tau pathology in Alzheimer's
• Microglial dynamics in injury recovery and disease progression

Publication Trends: Recent articles (2022-2025) emphasize microglial behavior in Alzheimer's, radiation neurotoxicity, and cytokine interactions. Common themes include sex-dependent responses, therapeutic targeting of inflammation, and proteomic/behavioral outcomes.

Awards & Honors:

• Commendation for Excellence in Medical Education (2015, 2013, 2012, 2004, 2003, 2001, 2000, 1996)
• Undergraduate Advisor of the Year (1995)
• Alumni Award for Graduate Education Excellence (1994)
• George W. Merck Dean's Teaching Scholar Award (1992)
• Sigma Xi Honor Society (1974)

Lab & Collaborations: His lab employs techniques like immunocytochemistry, RNA analysis, and transgenic modeling. Current projects include NASA studies on space radiation and NIA grants exploring IL-1β in Alzheimer’s. He collaborates extensively with Dr. Kerry O'Banion and Dr. Jacqueline Williams.