B.S., Texas State University (formerly Southwest Texas University), 1989
M.S., Texas State University, 1991
Ph.D., University of Texas at Austin, 1995

Timothy Raabe, Ph.D., joined the laboratory of Dr. George H. DeVries at Loyola and began work on multiple sclerosis (MS). MS is a disease of unknown origin which attacks the myelin (insulation) surrounding the axons of neurons in the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). The loss of myelin (or demyelination) in the CNS can produce a number of symptoms such as disturbed vision or loss of coordination. The cells responsible for producing myelin in the CNS are termed oligodendrocytes. The oligodendrocytes are not mitotically active in adults so once they are destroyed in MS remyelination is not successful.

His research at Loyola involved using growth factors (molecules that influence oligodendrocyte development) to determine the feasibility of using certain growth factors as possible therapeutic agents. Raabe's work focused on a family of growth factors termed neuregulins. The neuregulins are very important for the development of not only oligodendrocytes, but also Schwann cells which are responsible for myelination in the peripheral nervous system. His research focuses on the ability of both oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells to produce their own neuregulins which may enable these cells to regulate their own survival, differentiation, or proliferation.

Dr. Raabe is also the first Benjamin F. Biaggini Endowed Chair of Biological Sciences at St. Mary’s University.