Top Researchers
Top Neuroscience Researchers at Case Western Reserve University for 2026
Case Western Reserve University’s neuroscience community has been especially active over the past year, with work spanning cellular mechanisms, disease genetics, neural engineering, and translational studies. Across a sampled set of research outputs, a clear picture emerges of a department that is examining the nervous system from molecule to clinic.
Below, you’ll find a closer look at selected researchers whose recent publications reflect that range. Their work highlights both fundamental questions in neuroscience and practical efforts to improve diagnosis, treatment, and recovery.
Featured Researchers
Dominique M. Durand
Dominique M. Durand’s recent Case Western Reserve University work connects Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience with Cognitive Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering, including studies on epileptic excitability and network dynamics.
Activity over the last year: 8 indexed journal articles.
Top publications:
- Cathodal weak direct current decreases epileptic excitability with reduced neuronal activity and enhanced delta oscillations (Apr 2025)
- WONOEP XVII appraisal: Targeting network excitability beyond the synapse ‐Neurotransmitter, ionic, and electro ‐diffusions (Jul 2025)
- Non‐synaptic interictal epileptiform discharges propagating from CA3 to CA1 induce synaptic depression in the hippocampus (Jul 2025)
Feixiong Cheng
Feixiong Cheng has been focused on Neurology, Infectious Diseases, and Physiology, with recent papers on herpesvirus-associated changes in aging Alzheimer’s brains and potential treatment signals for Alzheimer’s disease.
Activity over the last year: 6 indexed journal articles.
Top publications:
- Human herpesvirus‐associated transposable element activation in human aging brains with Alzheimer's disease (Feb 2025)
- Real‐world observations of GLP‐1 receptor agonists and SGLT‐2 inhibitors as potential treatments for Alzheimer's disease (Sep 2025)
- Comprehensive characterization of the RNA editing landscape in the human aging brains with Alzheimer's disease (Jul 2025)
Matthias Buck
Matthias Buck’s Case Western Reserve University research spans Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience, Molecular Biology, and Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law, with recent studies on EphA2 receptor behavior and related signaling models.
Activity over the last year: 7 indexed journal articles.
Top publications:
- Cholesterol inhibits assembly and oncogenic activation of the EphA2 receptor (Mar 2025)
- Cholesterol-dependent dimerization and conformational dynamics of EphA2 receptors from coarse-grained and all-atom simulations (Apr 2025)
- Computational model predicts function of Rho‐GTPase binding for plexin receptor GAP activity on Rap1b via dynamic allosteric changes (Jun 2025)
Stephen J. Lewis
Stephen J. Lewis has worked across Endocrine and Autonomic Systems, Physiology, and Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine, including recent studies of renal nerve neurostimulation and opioid-related respiratory control.
Activity over the last year: 6 indexed journal articles.
Top publications:
- Low-level neurostimulation of the renal nerves as a potential therapeutic strategy for hypertension treatment (Feb 2025)
- Isobutyric tropine ester (Ibutropin) overcomes fentanyl-induced respiratory depression in unanesthetized rats without compromising analgesia (Apr 2025)
- Reversal of morphine-induced respiratory depression with the µ1-opioid receptor antagonist naloxonazine engenders excitation and instability of breathing (May 2025)
Jonathan L. Haines
Jonathan L. Haines has paired Physiology with Genetics and Psychiatry and Mental health in recent Case Western Reserve University publications on Alzheimer’s disease risk genes and variant mapping.
Activity over the last year: 11 indexed journal articles.
Top publications:
- Domain mapping of disease mutations reveals pathogenic SORL1 variants in Alzheimer’s disease (Dec 2025)
- Monocyte inflammation and resilience to Alzheimer’s disease: novel genetic risk genes identified by transcriptome-wide association study (Nov 2025)
- No association of Alzheimer disease with the joint effect of HFE and TF in the mid-western Amish (Nov 2025)
Andrew A. Pieper
Andrew A. Pieper’s recent publications bridge Physiology, Neurology, and Molecular Biology, with work on Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and systems genetics approaches to drug repurposing.
Activity over the last year: 9 indexed journal articles.
Top publications:
- Human herpesvirus‐associated transposable element activation in human aging brains with Alzheimer's disease (Feb 2025)
- Real‐world observations of GLP‐1 receptor agonists and SGLT‐2 inhibitors as potential treatments for Alzheimer's disease (Sep 2025)
- A network-based systems genetics framework identifies pathobiology and drug repurposing in Parkinson’s disease (Jan 2025)
David A. Cunningham
David A. Cunningham has focused on Neurology, Rehabilitation, and Biomedical Engineering, with recent studies on spinal cord injury, stroke recovery, and transcranial magnetic stimulation.
Activity over the last year: 6 indexed journal articles.
Top publications:
- Characteristics of Ipsilateral Corticomotor Pathways in People with cervical spinal cord Injury (May 2025)
- Contralaterally Controlled Functional Electrical Stimulation for Upper Extremity Recovery Following Stroke: A Multisite Randomized Controlled Trial (Nov 2025)
- Stratification algorithm for repetitive TMS in stroke (START): Results from an exploratory crossover study (Mar 2025)
Paulina M. Getsy
Paulina M. Getsy’s recent Case Western Reserve University work spans Endocrine and Autonomic Systems, Genetics, and Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience, especially studies of opioid antagonists and breathing control.
Activity over the last year: 5 indexed journal articles.
Top publications:
- Isobutyric tropine ester (Ibutropin) overcomes fentanyl-induced respiratory depression in unanesthetized rats without compromising analgesia (Apr 2025)
- Reversal of morphine-induced respiratory depression with the µ1-opioid receptor antagonist naloxonazine engenders excitation and instability of breathing (May 2025)
- The opioid receptor antagonist naloxonazine uncovers the pronounced ventilatory stimulant effects of fentanyl in freely-moving rats (Jul 2025)
What Case Western Reserve University's Neuroscience Community Is Working On
The most common themes across this neuroscience community are Physiology, Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience, and Neurology, with Biomedical Engineering and Molecular Biology also appearing repeatedly. That mix suggests a research environment that is actively moving between basic mechanisms and applied questions, from receptor signaling and excitability to neurological disease, rehabilitation, and device- or intervention-based approaches. Overall, the field at Case Western Reserve University appears to be organized around understanding how nervous system function changes in disease and how those changes can be measured or modified.- Physiology - seen across 4 of the featured researchers
- Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience - seen across 3 of the featured researchers
- Neurology - seen across 3 of the featured researchers
- Biomedical Engineering - seen across 2 of the featured researchers
- Molecular Biology - seen across 2 of the featured researchers
From neural circuits and receptor biology to Alzheimer’s disease, stroke recovery, and respiratory control, these researchers show how broad neuroscience scholarship at Case Western Reserve University has been over the past year. Explore the profiles below to learn more about each contributor’s recent focus, and if you’re organizing your own manuscripts, tools like Resub can help streamline citation discovery, formatting, and submission prep.
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