Matthew Anderson

Matthew Anderson, MD, PhD, is a Professor in the Department of Pathology at the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and Co-Director of the Harrington Rare Disease Program. As an Investigator at the Harrington Discovery Institute and co-Director of the Oxford-Harrington Rare Disease Centre (a partnership with University of Oxford), his work bridges academic research and industry to advance rare disease therapeutics.

Education:

• MD and PhD in Physiology and Biophysics from University of Iowa College of Medicine
• Postdoctoral training at MIT under Nobel Laureate Dr. Susumu Tonegawa

Research Interests: Dr. Anderson pioneers research in neuroimmunology and genetic mechanisms of brain disorders. His laboratory discovered CD8 T-cell-mediated pathologies in autism (65% of cases) and obesity (40% of cases), UBE3A-related synaptic disruptions in autism/epilepsy, and SVA retrotransposon roles in human brain evolution. His work integrates molecular genetics, circuit neuroscience, and translational therapeutics.

Publication Trends: His 2009-2023 publications reveal three dominant themes: 1) Neuroimmune mechanisms where CD8 T-cells target specific brain circuits in psychiatric disorders, 2) Convergent molecular pathways in genetic autisms and epilepsies involving UBE3A/CBLN1/NRXN1, and 3) Evolutionary genetics of human cognition through SVA retrotransposon regulation. These themes demonstrate his unique integration of immunology, neuroscience, and evolutionary biology.

Scientific Awards:

• International Distinguished Dissertation Award (awarded quinquennially for top scientific dissertation)

Grants and Funding: Current support includes Wolverine Foundation funding for MAPK8IP3 therapeutics development and Harrington Discovery Institute Investigator status. His research program has secured sustained funding for rare disease translation through industry-academia partnerships.

Laboratory and Team: Previously leading 45 scientists at Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Dr. Anderson now co-directs the Oxford-Harrington Rare Disease Centre, directing a multinational team focused on translating basic discoveries in neuroimmunology and synaptic biology into therapies for rare neurological conditions.