From Rochester, Minnesota, Dr. Kevin F. Bieniek received his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Psychology from Iowa State University (2011) followed by his Doctor of Philosophy degree in Biomedical Sciences (Neurobiology of Disease) from the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine (2016). As a graduate student, Kevin studied under the mentorship of Dr. Dennis W. Dickson at the Mayo Clinic Florida where his research focused on the neuropathology of C9ORF72-associated frontotemporal degeneration and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (including a co-first author 2013 Neuron publication uncovering dipeptide repeat pathology from C9ORF72 RAN translation). As a post-doctoral research fellow, Kevin explored the relationship between sports-related traumatic brain injuries and neuro-degenerative pathologies, and was involved in early consensus efforts to define the neuropathology of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

In 2018, Dr. Bieniek was recruited to University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine as well as the Founding Director of the Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s & Neurodegenerative Disease Brain Bank. He is a faculty member of the Integrated Biomedical Sciences graduate program and also serves as the Co-Director of the South Texas Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center Neuropathology Core. In 2024, Kevin was promoted to Associate Professor, with tenure.

Dr. Kevin Bieniek has been recognized with the 2018 Franz Nissl Young Investigator Award (International Society of Neuropathology), 2019 University of Texas System Rising STARs Award, 2023 Outstanding Scientific Contribution in Neuro-degeneration Award (International Society of Neuropathology), and 2023 Iowa State University Outstanding Young Alumni Award. He is inspired and motivated by the countless brain donors and their loved ones who have been impacted by these neurodegenerative diseases. From their selfless gift & legacy to biomedical research, the Bieniek lab is working towards and looks forward to the day when other patients and their families no longer feel the burden and loss from Alzheimer’s disease, CTE, and other neurodegenerative diseases.