Jonathan Kipnis

Jonathan Kipnis serves as the Alan A. and Edith L. Wolff Distinguished Professor of Pathology and Immunology at Washington University School of Medicine, with additional appointments in Neurology, Neuroscience, and Neurosurgery. As a BJC Investigator and Director of the Brain Immunology and Glia (BIG) Center, he leads pioneering research at the intersection of immunology and neuroscience.

His academic foundation includes:

• BSc in Biology from Tel Aviv University (1995-1998)
• MSc in Neurobiology from Weizmann Institute of Science (1998-1999)
• PhD in Neuroimmunology from Weizmann Institute of Science (1999-2004)

Dr. Kipnis investigates immune-CNS interactions across neurodegenerative disorders, neurodevelopmental conditions, mental health, and healthy aging. His work reveals fundamental mechanisms where immune cells regulate brain function, with implications for Alzheimer's, autism, and aging-related cognitive decline. Recent breakthroughs demonstrate how meningeal immunity influences neural plasticity and behavior.

His publications consistently advance neuroimmunology, highlighting CNS lymphatic function, microglial dynamics, and cerebrospinal fluid pathways. These works establish immune mechanisms as central to brain health, shifting paradigms in neurological disease treatment.

His accolades include:

• NIH Director’s Pioneer Award (2018)
• NIH/NIA MERIT Award (2020)
• National Academy of Medicine membership (2022)
• Robert Ader New Investigator Award (2011)
• Jordi Folch-Pi award (2012)

As Director of the BIG Center, he oversees major NIH-funded initiatives including the Pioneer and MERIT awards. His leadership fosters collaborative training for neuroscientists and immunologists, driving translational research from bench to bedside.

The Kipnis Lab and BIG Center form an interdisciplinary hub integrating immunology, neuroscience, and clinical medicine. This ecosystem accelerates discovery of immune-based therapies for brain disorders through advanced imaging, genetic models, and human tissue analysis.