Assistant Professor

2255 Kenny Rd.
Pelotonia Research Center 4181
Columbus, OH 43210

Megan.keiser@osumc.edu

Dr. Keiser leads preclinical research developing gene therapy approaches—including AAV, RNAi, and extracellular vesicles—for neurodegenerative diseases as well as acquired central nervous system. Her work challenges the traditionally cortico-centric view of these disorders by investigating the underappreciated roles of the cerebellum and hindbrain in disease progression and therapeutic response. She employs direct intracranial delivery to achieve region-specific modulation and novel AAV capsids engineered for optimized cellular and regional tropisms within the brain.

Research Interests

  • Gene therapies for neurodegenerative diseases
  • Novel AAV capsids
  • Alzheimer’s Disease
  • Traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury
  • Cerebellum and hindbrain implications in neurological disease

Education

PhD: University of Iowa, Graduate Program in Neuroscience
BS: University of Iowa, Integrative Physiology 

Other Editorial Activities

  • Ad hoc reviewer, Molecular Therapy Journals

Professional Activities

  • Member, American Society for Gene and Cell Therapy
  • Member, Neurological and Ophthalmological Gene and Cell Therapies Committee, American Society for Gene and Cell Therapy
  • Member, Chronic Brain Injury Program (OSU)
  • Member, Data Committee for Women in Medicine and Science (WIMS)
  • Member, Gene Therapy Institute (OSU)

Honors and Awards

  • Excellent in Research Award for Students and Fellows; American Society for Gene and Cell Therapy (2018)