Dr. Ross’s research interests are centered on the combinatorial approach of neural stem/progenitor cell therapies and rehabilitation strategies following neural insult. Specifically, Dr. Ross is studying whether progenitor cell transplant coupled with cell- and systemic-based modulation, including rehabilitation approaches, can synergize to optimally promote cell engraftment and subsequent motor function following spinal cord injury. Dr. Ross also maintains interests in: 1) The age-related and instructive role of microglia on persistent neurogenesis. 2) The ability of thymidine analogs to target the cancer stem cell and treat primary/recurrent brain cancers. The long-term goal of this work is to further the basic understanding of neural stem/progenitor cell regulation, while pioneering study into the interplay between stem cell biology, neural cell replacement/recruitment therapies, and rehabilitation