Susan C Schwerin

Susan C. Schwerin is a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Genetics at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences School of Medicine in Bethesda, Maryland. With over a decade of experience at the institution, she has established herself as a specialist in traumatic brain injury research using gyrencephalic animal models.

Her educational background includes:

• PhD in Neuroscience from Northwestern University Institute for Neuroscience (2005)
• Postdoctoral Fellowship in Neuroscience at the University of Florida (2006-2009)
• Postdoctoral Fellowship in Neuroscience at Uniformed Services University (2009-2013)
• BS in Biological Sciences from Michigan Technological University (1995)

Dr. Schwerin's research primarily focuses on traumatic brain injury and neuroplasticity, with particular expertise in developing and utilizing ferret models for studying brain trauma. Her work bridges experimental neuroscience with clinical applications, investigating how brain injuries affect neural pathways and behavioral outcomes. She has made significant contributions to understanding the progression of histopathological and behavioral abnormalities following mild traumatic brain injury.

Her publication record shows a consistent trajectory of high-impact research in neuroimaging techniques, particularly diffusion MRI and DTI, for detecting brain alterations following injury. Her work spans from basic methodology development (creating population-based MRI templates for ferret brains) to clinical applications (studying sleep disruption and motor recovery patterns). The research demonstrates a strong emphasis on translational neuroscience, with findings that have implications for human traumatic brain injury diagnosis and treatment.

Dr. Schwerin's collaborative approach is evident in her extensive publication record, working with researchers across various disciplines including neuroimaging, neurophysiology, and rehabilitation science. Her work on ferret models has established this species as a valuable gyrencephalic model for studying traumatic brain injury, filling an important gap between rodent models and human studies.