Kathryn Fitzgerald

Kathryn Fitzgerald is an Associate Professor in the Department of Neurology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Her primary academic appointment reflects her active role in research and academic medicine, focusing on neuroepidemiology and multiple sclerosis (MS).

Education:

• Sc.D. in Epidemiology, Harvard University School of Public Health, 2015
• B.S., Pennsylvania State University, 2009

Dr. Fitzgerald's research is centered on identifying diagnostic and prognostic factors in multiple sclerosis and other neurological disorders. She integrates patient-level and population-level data to explore how genetics, metabolic changes, hormones, diet, environmental exposures, and comorbidities influence MS severity. Her work bridges epidemiology and clinical neurology, with a strong emphasis on translational outcomes.

The recent publications highlight a consistent focus on multiple sclerosis, particularly in areas such as neuroimaging disparities, dietary interventions, pharmacological effects on metabolism, emotional symptoms, and molecular mechanisms. These studies reflect a multidisciplinary approach combining clinical data, neuroimaging, and molecular analysis.

Scientific Awards and Honors:

• Career Transitional Fellowship Award, National MS Society (2019)
• CROI Scholarship (2019)
• Travel Award, Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers Annual Meeting (2017)
• ACTRIMS Top Poster Finalist (2016)
• National Multiple Sclerosis Society Travel Award, ACTRIMS (2016)

Dr. Fitzgerald has been actively involved in mentored research and has secured external funding, including a prestigious Career Transitional Fellowship from the National MS Society. Her work has been supported by collaborative grants and she participates in major MS research consortia. While specific advisees are not listed, her leadership in multi-center studies suggests mentorship roles within her research team.

She is affiliated with the Johns Hopkins MS Center and collaborates extensively with neuroimmunology and neuroimaging teams. Her research leverages large patient cohorts and longitudinal data, working within interdisciplinary groups focused on improving outcomes in MS through epidemiologic and clinical investigation.