Kathy Steece-Collier

Kathy Steece-Collier is a Professor in the Department of Translational Neuroscience at Michigan State University's College of Human Medicine, where she has been since 2010. She is also affiliated with the MSU Neuroscience Program and BioMolecular Science Gateway. Her research focuses on developing improved therapeutics for Parkinson's disease (PD), particularly through gene therapy targeting CaV1.3 calcium channels and understanding brain remodeling in response to neurodegeneration and interventions.

• Education:
  • Dual B.S. with honors in Chemistry and Biology, Eureka College (1981)
  • Ph.D. in Physiology and Biophysics, University of Illinois Medical Center (1986)
  • Postdoctoral Fellowship, University of Rochester (1986-1990)

Her work spans three decades, emphasizing PD therapeutics, including studies on striatal pathology, graft- and levodopa-induced dyskinesias, and molecular triggers of treatment failure. Current projects involve RNA interference (RNAi) using AAV vectors for CaV1.3 channel silencing in PD models and CRISPR-based research on BDNF polymorphisms affecting dopamine terminal remodeling.

Kathy leads the Steece-Collier Lab at MSU's Grand Rapids Research Center, utilizing techniques like stereotaxic surgery, in vivo gene therapy, immunohistochemistry, and behavioral evaluations in rodent and nonhuman primate models. The lab's groundbreaking studies demonstrate motor deficit reversal and prevention of levodopa-induced dyskinesias in aged primates through targeted gene therapy.

Scientific Awards:

• NINDS R01 Grant (2018-2024): AAV-CaV1.3-shRNA for antidyskinetic efficacy in PD models
• NINDS R01 Grant (2019-2023): CRISPR knock-in rat model study of BDNF SNP rs6265 in PD striatal remodeling

She maintains active collaborations in neurobiology of aging, neural grafting, and precision medicine approaches to PD treatment.