Michael Henderson, Ph.D., is an associate professor in the Department of Neurodegenerative Science at Van Andel Institute and the founding director of the VAI Brain Bank. His research centers on understanding why certain neurons and brain circuits are especially vulnerable to neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, dementia with Lewy bodies and Alzheimer’s disease.

Dr. Henderson uses an integrative approach that spans molecular and structural neuropathology, spatial transcriptomics, advanced microscopy and in vivo modeling. His work has revealed how pathogenic proteins including α-synuclein and tau propagate through brain networks, how genetic and cellular factors influence selective vulnerability, and how co-pathologies interact to shape disease progression. These efforts aim to define the biological rules that govern neurodegeneration and to identify new entry points for therapeutic intervention.

Dr. Henderson earned his Ph.D. in neuroscience from Yale University and completed postdoctoral training at the University of Pennsylvania, where he developed expertise in neurodegenerative disease mechanisms and neuropathology. In addition to the lab, Dr. Henderson directs the VAI Brain Bank, a resource that enables discoveries across the Institute and the broader scientific community. He is also an active educator, serving as a course director and mentor within Van Andel Institute Graduate School.