Monica J. Carson, Ph.D.

Monica J Carson is the S. Sue Johnson Presidential Endowed Chair in Glial-Neuronal Interactions and serves as Professor and Chair of the Division of Biomedical Sciences at the University of California Riverside School of Medicine. She additionally serves as Director of the Center for Glial-Interactions and Editor-in-Chief for the Journal of Neuroinflammation.

She has been an active member of both the American and International Neurochemistry Societies since graduate school, serving in multiple roles including President of each society. She received her AB degree from Bryn Mawr College and her PhD from University of Pennsylvania. Her research focuses on identifying CNS-Immune System interactions with a specific focus on the role of microglia in supporting lifelong brain health and how genetics, inflammation and environmental insults trigger and/or exacerbate neurodegenerative disorders. Dr. Carson’s choice of research focus was strongly influenced by her early interactions as a student with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, and by individuals affected by Multiple Sclerosis.