Sandra Cardona

Sandra Cardona, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor of Research in the Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), within the College of Sciences. She serves as the Director of the Cell Analysis Core, a state-of-the-art research facility supporting advanced flow cytometry and confocal microscopy applications.

Her research focuses on the role of glial cells in neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration, particularly in diseases such as multiple sclerosis and diabetic retinopathy. Utilizing sophisticated imaging and cytometric techniques, her work investigates microglial activation, fractalkine signaling, and neurovascular dysfunction in mouse models of neurological and metabolic disorders.

Dr. Cardona's recent publications reflect a strong emphasis on neuroimmunology, with key contributions to understanding how immune signaling pathways influence central nervous system pathology. Her work integrates cellular neuroscience with immunological mechanisms, particularly in the context of chronic inflammatory conditions affecting the brain and retina.

As Director of the Cell Analysis Core, she plays a critical role in training researchers and promoting advanced cytomics across the UTSA research community. She supports a wide range of research projects through access to technologies like the FACS Aria-II, LSR-II, ImageStream-MKII, and Zeiss 710 NLO 2P systems.