CHICAGO – Amy L. Brewster, PhD will begin a term as a member-at -large of the Nominating Committee of the American Epilepsy Society (AES) at the conclusion of the Society’s annual meeting in Chicago (Dec. 3- 7, 2021). A medical and scientific society of 4,200 members, the AES is dedicated to advancing research and education for preventing, treating, and curing epilepsy. The Nominating Committee oversees the annual call for nominations for officers and Board of AES, evaluates nominees, and selects a slate of candidates to put forward to the membership.
She is an Associate Professor of Biological Sciences at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX. She received her B.S. in Biology from the University of Puerto Rico-Cayey, Ph.D. from University of California-Irvine, and postdoctoral training at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX.
Dr. Brewster uses her expertise in cellular, molecular, and behavioral neuroscience to determine the role that neuroimmune crosstalks (microglia-dendritic interactions) may play in the neuropathology and pathophysiology of epilepsy. Dr. Brewster’s research program has provided evidence that enhanced immune complement phagocytosis-related signals and microglia-dendritic interactions occur not only in patients with epilepsy but also in pre-clinical experimental model, and parallel the neuropathology and pathophysiology of epilepsy. Her independent research program has been funded by the American Epilepsy Society, the Indiana Clinical Translational Science Institute, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, and the prestigious Showalter Research Trust.
Dr. Brewster is the recipient of several awards including the Junior Faculty Research Grant from the American Epilepsy Society and has been a scholar in prestigious programs such as the Program in Neuroscience, Ethics, and Survival from the Marine Biological Laboratories; The Neuroscience Scholars Program from the Society for Neuroscience; and The Keystone Symposia Fellows Program. She currently serves on the AES Basic Sciences Committee and as an Epilepsy Currents Contributing Editor, and has also served as an early career grant reviewer, and on the Scientific Program Committee, and Anti-Harassment Task Force.