Sharon L Juliano

Sharon L Juliano serves as Professor and Director of Neuroscience within the Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Genetics at Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS) School of Medicine in Bethesda, MD. Her academic leadership spans neuroscience research and education in military medical contexts.

Her educational foundation includes:

• Bachelor of Arts from Temple University
• Occupational Therapy Advanced Degree from University of Pennsylvania
• Doctor of Philosophy from University of Pennsylvania

Dr. Juliano's research centers on neuroscience with critical focus on traumatic brain injury mechanisms and neural developmental toxicology. Her work investigates how environmental toxins disrupt cortical development and utilizes gyrencephalic animal models to simulate human brain injuries, bridging military medicine and fundamental neurobiology.

Analysis of her 2007-2017 publications reveals consistent exploration of cortical dysplasia, interneuron migration defects, and GABAergic signaling abnormalities. Key methodological innovations include ferret models for traumatic brain injury and studies on radial glial scaffolding in neocortical development.

Her distinguished recognition includes:

• Flexnor Award for Outstanding Research (1981)
• Cajal Club Cortical Explorer Award (1992)
• Dual Simpson Awards from iiFAR (1992)
• Department of Defense Distinguished Service Medal (1998)
• Henry Wu Award for Excellence in Research (2011)
• Outstanding Service Medal (2012)
• Society for Neuroscience Education Award (2012)

No formal graduate student advisement or specific grant programs are documented in available materials, though her Directorship implies research oversight. She chairs the IBRO North American Regional Committee (2013-present) and organized neuroscience education workshops in Africa (2008-2017).

As Director of Neuroscience, she leads initiatives connecting with the Center for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine (CNRM), particularly evident in her 2012 Outstanding Service Medal citation acknowledging contributions to USUHS & CNRM.