Christy Kestner is a neuroscientist and PhD-trained neuroimmunologist with over a decade of experience spanning academic research, scientific writing, and evidence-based health communication.
Her work focuses on translating complex neuroscience into clear, accurate, and practical insights for everyday life.
During her PhD and postdoctoral training at the Medical University of South Carolina, Christy published 7 peer-reviewed manuscripts investigating how the brain’s immune system responds to traumatic brain injury and stroke. Her work contributed to research on neuroprotection and the role of the complement system in neurodegeneration. She has authored 9 peer-reviewed publications overall.
Beyond the lab, she is the founder of Brain & Beyond, a rapidly growing science communication platform dedicated to making neuroscience, immunology, and brain health accessible to a broad audience. Across her platform, she has built an audience of over 35,000 people and collaborated with organizations including Harvard LabXchange, MedEvidence, and Built By Girls.
Today, she works as a neuroscience consultant and expert contributor. She partners with digital health and wellness platforms to ensure their content is scientifically accurate, current, and genuinely trustworthy. She is particularly passionate about combating misinformation and improving how science is communicated in the public space.
Education
- Ph.D., Neuroimmunology - Medical University of South Carolina (2019-2023)
- M.S., Cell and Molecular Biology - Georgia State University (2014)
- B.S., Biology - University of South Carolina (2011)
Core skills & strengths
- Neuroimmunology and neuroinflammation
- Brain health and behavior science
- Traumatic brain injury and stroke research
- Science communication and public education
- Scientific writing and editorial review
- Evidence-based content strategy for digital health platforms
- Translational research across neuroscience, immunology, and oncology