Prof. Keirstead directs a 20-person research team investigating the cellular biology and treatment of spinal cord trauma in the Reeve-Irvine Research Center founded by actor Christopher Reeve and philanthropist Joan Irvine. This research also has significance for multiple sclerosis and other diseases of the nervous system. A Canadian-born neuro-scientist, Hans' Ph.D. thesis from the University of British Columbia concerned his invention of a novel method for regenerating damaged spinal cords. From it he produced several worldwide patents and created a company to bring this treatment to clinical trials.