Jenny Hsieh, PhD

The Semmes Foundation Endowed Distinguished Chair in Cell Biology

Professor, Neuroscience, Developmental and Regenerative Biology

Jenny Hsieh is the Semmes Foundation Endowed Distinguished Chair in Cell Biology at UT San Antonio where she serves as a professor and founding chair of the Department of Neuroscience, Developmental and Regenerative Biology. She also leads the Brain Health Consortium, a collaborative research center of over 80 researchers working across disciplines to better understand the brain and develop new treatments for neurological disorders.

Hsieh earned her BS in Biochemistry from UC San Diego and her PhD in Biology from Johns Hopkins University, followed by postdoctoral training at the Salk Institute. Her research focuses on how the brain’s stem cells can be activated to repair damage caused by disease or injury. Her lab uses advanced tools—including mouse models, human brain organoids, gene editing, and electrophysiology—to study how new neurons integrate into brain circuits and how genetic mutations contribute to epilepsy and other brain disorders. 

She has published over 70 scientific papers, reviews, or book chapters, holds an h-index of 39, and has received continuous NIH funding since 2009. In recognition of her commitment to mentoring, she received the 2025 NINDS Landis Award for Outstanding Mentorship. She also co-chairs the American Epilepsy Society Research & Training Council and established the UT San Antonio Stem Cell Core, a UT System-wide resource for stem cell reprogramming and regulatory support.

Hsieh is helping position UT San Antonio as a national leader in brain health by advancing research in stem cells, precision medicine, and genetic technologies to better understand and treat conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, and traumatic brain injury.