Soheila Karimi

Dr. Soheila Karimi is a Professor in the Department of Physiology & Pathophysiology at the Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba. She serves as Founding Director of the Manitoba Multiple Sclerosis Research Centre (MMSRC), Scientist at the Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba (CHRIM), and Principal Investigator at the Spinal Cord Research Center (SCRC). Her research focuses on neural repair and regeneration in multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injury.

• PhD in Neuroscience (University of Saskatchewan, 2001)
• Postdoctoral Fellowship (University of Toronto, 2007)

Research Interests: Dr. Karimi’s work centers on stem cell therapies, neuroinflammation modulation, and pharmacological interventions for CNS repair. She investigates glia-neuron interactions, myelin biology, and CSPG signaling pathways in traumatic and degenerative neural conditions.

Publications Trend: Her recent articles emphasize neurodegenerative mechanisms in multiple sclerosis, CSPG/glial scar modulation, and stem cell-driven repair strategies. Collaborative efforts span institutions in Canada, the U.S., and Europe.

• 2024 Merit Award for Research, Teaching, and Service
• 2020 Canada's Top 100 Most Powerful Women
• 2017 Ed Kroeger Award for Graduate Student Mentorship
• 2006 Synhes Research Award

Leadership: Dr. Karimi co-founded the Manitoba Neuroscience Network (MNN) and chairs international neurotrauma societies. She mentors through programs like endMS SPRINT and MITACS Global Internship.