Dr Vahsen’s research focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative diseases, with a particular focus on MND. His work uses human stem cells to understand how immune cells in the brain are involved in MND. By studying how neurons and immune cells communicate in health and disease, his research aims to uncover the biological mechanisms underlying MND and identify new targets for future treatments.

Björn studied Medicine and completed his medical doctorate at the University of Göttingen, followed by an MSc/DPhil in Clinical Neurosciences and postdoctoral work at the University of Oxford. In 2026, he was awarded an independent fellowship from the MND Association and appointed SSIG Lecturer in Neuroimmunology at the University of Aberdeen, where he leads his own research group.