Kathleen Louis-Gray, M.D., Ph.D.

Adult Neurology, Class of 2024

Biography

Undergraduate School: Illinois State University

Graduate School: Michigan State University (PhD)

Medical School: Michigan State University

I was born in Canberra, Australia, and grew up in Southern Illinois, in a small town called Chatham. I finished my undergraduate years at Illinois Wesleyan University. I was always intrigued by basic science research, and especially neuroscience, so I chose to pursue a Ph.D. at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. My research focused on a novel form of synaptic plasticity in the thalamocortical circuit of rats. I used whole cell patch clamp electrophysiology to record from the thalamocortical circuits in live brain slices of rats. I completed my PhD in Neuroscience at Michigan State University in 2016, after my advisor moved there, which is what initially brought me to Michigan. I then completed medical school at Michigan State, as well. My ultimate goal is to be involved in translational neuroscience research, while working directly with patients with these same disorders. I met my husband, Nate, soon after I moved to Michigan, and we now have a baby girl, named Liliana. We also have a calico cat, named Mocha.

Fun fact: My interest in neurology comes from my best friend, who has Multiple Sclerosis. She has and always will be my inspiration to make an impact in this field.

My theme song: “Shake It Off” by Taylor Swift