Shaun Carlson, PhD, joined the faculty of the Department of Neurological Surgery at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh in October of 2017.
Dr. Carlson graduated from the University of Kansas in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science degree in cell biology. He earned his PhD in physiology in 2013 from the University of Kentucky, studying the effects of traumatic brain injury on hippocampal neurogenesis and the efficacy of a growth factor based therapeutic approach to promote neurogenic plasticity and functional recovery after brain injury. He continued his training in 2013 as a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Pittsburgh Department of Neurological Surgery.
Dr. Carlson's publications can be reviewed through the National Library of Medicine's publication database.
Specialized Areas of Interest
Professional Organization Membership
Professional Activities
Education & Training
- BSc, Cell Biology, University of Kansas, 2007
- PhD, Physiology, University of Kentucky, 2013
- Postdoctoral Fellowship, Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, 2017
Honors & Awards
- Allen Humphrey Excellence in Mentoring Award, University of Pittsburgh, 2024
- Mellon Scholar, Richard King Mellon Foundation Institute for Pediatric Research, 2023-present
- Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NIH), 2015-17
- Nancy Caroline Fellow Award, Safar Center for Resuscitation Research, 2016
- Murray Goldstein Award of Excellence, National Neurotrauma Symposium, 2013
- Anthony Marmarou Award of Excellence, National Neurotrauma Symposium, 2012
- Brian J. Hardin Award for Research, Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, 2008
Research Activities
Dr. Carlson’s team investigates the mechanisms underlying synaptic and neurobehavioral dysfunction following traumatic brain injury, utilizing multiple experimental injury models, to recapitulate the heterogeneity of TBI across the spectrum of injury severity in support of
his National Institutes of Health, Department of Defense and foundation grants. Dr. Carlson’s research efforts include the utilization of translational non-invasive imaging, fluid and genetic biomarkers to examine outcomes after traumatic brain injury.