Dr. Judith Grinspan

Biography

Judith B. Grinspan, Ph.D., is a Research Professor in the Department of Neurology at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania. Her academic journey began with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Vassar College, followed by a Master of Science in Pathology from Hahnemann University, and culminated in a Ph.D. in Biology from the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Grinspan's research primarily focuses on the central nervous system, investigating factors that influence the maturation of oligodendrocytes, the myelinating cells responsible for the formation of myelin, which is essential for the rapid conduction of nervous impulses and the protection of axons. Her lab examines the roles of oxidative stress and neuroinflammation in demyelinating diseases such as multiple sclerosis and HIV. Ongoing research areas include the mechanisms underlying white matter loss in HIV-associated cognitive deficits and the factors that impede myelination following perinatal white matter injury. Dr. Grinspan's work is integral to understanding how to foster the development and repair of myelin in the context of various neurological conditions.

Research Interests