Susan B Gagliardi

Susan B Gagliardi is a Professor at UMass Chan Medical School within the T.H. Chan School of Medicine, holding primary appointments in the Department of Neurology with additional affiliations in the NeuroNexus Institute and Department of Radiology. Her research spans two distinct domains: CNS myelin genetics and medical education.

Education:

• BA in Biology from Radcliffe College (1965)
• PhD in Anatomy from Harvard University (1971)

Her neuroscientific work focuses on myelin gene expression using mutant mouse models, particularly investigating interactions between myelin basic protein (MBP) and proteolipid protein (PLP) genes. She examines how mutations affect oligodendrocyte development and myelin structure through cytological and ultrastructural methods. Concurrently, she conducts significant research in medical education, developing assessment tools and communication strategies for medical students, with emphasis on neuroanatomy teaching and patient communication.

Publication analysis reveals dual trajectories: neuroscience papers (1999-2001) center on myelin genetics using double-mutant mice models, while medical education publications (2001-2009) address curriculum design, student assessment, and clinical communication skills. Both domains demonstrate rigorous experimental methodology and translational applications.

Collaborations:

• Primary collaborator: Kathleen Mazor (multiple co-authored publications)
• Additional collaborators: Mark Quirk, Judith Ockene, Jennifer Reidy

Her laboratory work involves electron microscopy of oligodendrocytes, genetic sequencing of PLP mutations (including the jp^4j mouse model), and development of dispersed oligodendrocyte culture systems. The NeuroNexus Institute affiliation suggests integration of neuroimaging techniques in her myelin research.