Scott Koppel, M.D., Ph.D.

Professional Background

I'm originally from the Southern California area where I received my BS in Neurobiology from University of California - Irvine. At UCI, I was first introduced to the world of scientific research through the mentorship of Dr. Karina Cramer studying how secreted astrocytic factors influenced immature neuronal pathways in developing avian and mammalian auditory brainstem circuits.

I chose to pursue my graduate training at KUMC for several important reasons. Namely, KUMC is nationally recognized as one of only 29 National Institute of Health-funded Alzheimer's Disease Centers, the strong family environment of the MD-PhD program, the JayDoc Free Clinic where students are able to practice their clinical skills with real patients in their first year of training, and the benefits of living in a large metropolitan area that often displays the charms of small town friendliness.

My dissertation research was performed under the mentorship of Dr. Russell Swerdlow as a member of the Graduate Neuroscience Program. My research explored the differences in how different CNS cell types, neurons and astrocytes, respond to the ketogenic diet and one of its primary metabolites, β-hydroxybutyrate, influence brain metabolic and transcriptional pathways. In doing so, we have sought to expand our understanding of how neuroketotherapeutics could function mechanistically as a therapy for conditions such as epilepsy or Alzheimer's disease.

For prospective students, I strongly encourage you to consider KUMC due to the superb graduate and medical training opportunities present at this institution and our partners at the Stowers Institute for Medical Research. KUMC has been listed as a top 25 medical school in the United States by Business Insider and nationally ranked by U.S. News and World Reports as one of the best medical centers for research, primary care, and numerous subspecialties year after year. Please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have.

Mentor: Russell Swerdlow, M.D., Neuroscience Department.