Maria Micci

Maria Micci, PhD, is a Professor in the Department of Anesthesiology at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB). Her research focuses on neural stem cells, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, with a particular emphasis on neurogenesis and mechanosensitive ion channels.

She leads innovative projects funded by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), the Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity, and the National Institute on Aging (NIA). Her work includes grants for developing Nano-Pulsed Optoacoustic Neuromodulation and studying neurogenesis in Alzheimer's models.

• NINDS Grant #5R01NS12880804: Nano-Pulsed Laser Optoacoustic Therapy for TBI, active 2022–2027.
• Army Medical Research Grant #W81XWH1910522: NPLT for TBI treatment, completed 2019–2022.
• NIA Grant #5R03AG04753702: Neurogenesis in Alzheimer's disease, completed 2014–2017.

Her research explores the intersection of photobiomodulation, stem cell therapy, and neuroinflammation, with recent studies published in journals like Journal of Neuroscience and PLOS ONE. She collaborates with teams at UTMB and external institutions, focusing on brain health as part of the university's strategic research pillars.