Ashley Kalinski Curren
Assistant Professor of Biology
Education
University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI
Postdoctoral Fellow, 2015-2020
Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA
Ph.D. Biological Sciences
Adrian College, Adrian, MI
B.A. Biology & Japanese Studies
Research Interests
My lab is interested in how the nervous system and the immune system interact following traumatic injury. Injury to neurons of the central nervous system (CNS), such as spinal cord injury, leads to long term functional deficits. However, in the peripheral nervous system (PNS), spontaneous axon regeneration can occur. We know that this is due to differences in the intrinsic capacity of neurons and the extracellular environment that surrounds those neurons. Recent work has shown that there is a massive inflammatory response following injury, and this is required for successful regeneration in the PNS. Our goal is to understand how inflammation affects neuronal growth responses, specifically through changes in local signaling pathways within the damaged axons. We utilize a variety of biochemical, imaging, cell culture, and flow cytometry methods to ask these questions.
For more information about our work and to see recent publications please visit our website.
Website:
https://acurren4.wixsite.com/kalinski-lab