🎯 Business Spotlight: Dr. Christy Kestner of Brain & Beyond

A Charleston scientist turns cutting-edge research into visual stories—bridging the gap between the lab and everyday life through Brain & Beyond.

Author

Brandon Smith
May 01, 2025

tl;dr - Dr. Christy Kestner, a Charleston-based neuroimmunologist, launched Brain & Beyond in April 2025 to make complex science accessible through engaging Instagram content. In just one month, she’s grown the platform to 2,200+ followers and 130K+ views—blending storytelling, visuals, and research to demystify neuroscience, immunology, and biotech for curious minds everywhere.

🎯 Business Spotlight

This week, we’re spotlighting Dr. Christy Kestner, a Charleston-based neuroimmunologist and founder of Brain & Beyond, a fast-growing digital platform bringing clarity and creativity to the world of neuroscience, immunology, and biotech.

After over a decade in research and a postdoc in oncology drug discovery, Christy stepped away from the lab to build something new: a science communication platform that makes complex research feel accessible, visual, and human. Hosted primarily on Instagram, Brain & Beyond delivers bite-sized science through reels, carousels, and visual storytelling—no jargon, no gatekeeping.

“A major turning point for me was realizing I didn’t have to choose between being a scientist and a storyteller—I could be both.”

Launched in April 2025, the platform is already gaining serious momentum:

📈 Growth Snapshot (First 4 Weeks)

  • 2,200+ Instagram followers

  • 130,000+ views across content

  • 9.5% engagement rate—well above average for educational content

Christy’s content has been featured by scientists and physicians across the U.S. and internationally, and she's already landed collaborations with Harvard LabXchange, YourSTEAMid, and national publications like STAT News and Newsweek.

But Brain & Beyond isn’t just about growing an audience—it’s about growing impact. As Charleston’s biotech and medtech sectors expand, Christy is partnering with local startups, educators, and health brands to help bridge the gap between science and the community.

🔍 Why It Matters

In an era of misinformation and scientific fatigue, Brain & Beyond offers something different: trustworthy, beautifully presented science that invites curiosity instead of confusion. As Charleston’s innovation economy accelerates, platforms like this help build a smarter, more connected Lowcountry.

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