Alison Axtman, Ph.D.
Affiliation: UNC-Chapel Hill
Dr. Axtman’s research focuses on the synthesis of small molecules that selectively modulate proteins implicated in disease-propagating pathways. She works at the interface of chemistry and biology. She is funded to develop reagents to validate novel therapeutic hypotheses related to AD.
Luke Bartelt
Affiliation: Duke
Interested in understanding molecular mechanisms of Neurodegeneration through genetic mouse models and single-cell genomic technologies. Working to identify cell-type specific gene regulatory pathways driving neurodegeneration for next-generation gene therapy approaches.
Keisha Leanne Bentley-Edwards, M.A., Ph.D.
ADRC Interests: Care Givers & Community Support, Epidemiology & Population Health
Affiliation: Duke
My work specifically examines how race, culture and racism stress influence how the world responds to Black Americans and how this influences health and social disparities. I develop culturally cognizant measures, specifically in the areas of racial/ethnic socialization, racial cohesion and dissonance and same-race violence. As an interdisciplinary researcher, I examine the racial and societal contexts that influence health, coping and well-being in schools, communities and within families.
Nrupen Bhavsar, Ph.D.
ADRC Interests: Clinical Trials
Affiliation: Duke
My primary research interests are in the use of novel sources of data, including the EHR, to conduct chronic disease research at the intersection of informatics, biostatistics, and epidemiology. My ongoing work aims to integrate informatics, epidemiology, and biostatistics to reduce the burden of chronic disease.
John Buse, M.D, Ph.D.
Affiliation: UNC-Chapel Hill
The UNC Endocrinology Diabetes Obesity Clinical Research Unit (ENDO CRU) is a leading site for clinical and translational studies of diabetes, obesity and its complications. We are well positioned to help apply diabetes treatments to cognitive disorders and recruit patients with diabetes and obesity to AD translational studies.
Jamie Capal, M.D.
ADRC Interests: Genetics, Biomarkers, Clinical Trials
Affiliation: UNC-Chapel Hill
Research interests include studying neurodevelopmental disorders across the lifespan, including Down syndrome, Fragile X syndrome, Angelman syndrome, and Tuberous Sclerosis Complex, and the relationship between early neurodevelopmental conditions and later neurodegeneration.
Avshalom Caspi, M.A., Ph.D.
ADRC Interests: Epidemiology & Population Health, Genetics, Geriatric Psychiatry
Affiliation: Duke
1) How do childhood experiences shape aging and the course of health inequalities across the life span? (2) How do genetic differences between people shape the way they respond to their environments? (3) What are the best ways to assess and measure personality differences between people?
Ornit Chiba-Falek, Ph.D.
ADRC Interests: Neurodegeneration, Alzheimer's Disease
Affiliation: Duke
Our research attempts to better understand the genetic processes underpinning age-related neurodegenerative diseases, in particular Alzheimer’s disease, related dementia, and Lewy body spectrum disorders.
Sarah Cohen, Ph.D.
ADRC Interests: Neurodegeneration
Affiliation: UNC-Chapel Hill
Dr. Cohen uses state-of-the-art microscopy techniques to study organelle dynamics and lipid metabolism in the context of neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Keywords: cell biology; organelles; lipids; Alzheimer’s disease; APOE
Leon Coleman, M.D, Ph.D.
ADRC Interests: Animal Models, Cellular Pathology, Behavioral Pathology
Affiliation: UNC-Chapel Hill
The Coleman lab studies how modifiable risk factors for AD promote its cellular and behavioral pathology. By using mouse models and human tissue, we attempt to identify novel diagnostic and therapeutic targets for AD. Studies focus on underlying cellular and molecular pathology that promote AD pathogenesis and progression
Carol Colton, Ph.D.
ADRC Interests: Cell Biology - Neurodegeneration, Cell Biology - Immunology, Cell Biology - Cellular Aging, Clinical Aging Research
Affiliation: Duke
Recent research has focused on the regulation of microglial reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species production as well as other cytoactive macrophage products that are made during the classical and alternative activation states associated with chronic neurodegeneration.
Douglas Cyr, Ph.D.
ADRC Interests: Genetics, Biomarkers
Affiliation: UNC-Chapel Hill
Focused on understanding the protein folding problem and defining cellular responses to proteotoxic stress. A central focus is understanding how Hsp70 molecular chaperones mediate protein triage and determine the fate of misfolded proteins.
Eran Dayan, Ph.D.
ADRC Interests: Biomarkers
Affiliation: UNC-Chapel Hill
Our lab studies neurodegeneration in the human brain using data science and informatics approaches. We seek to identify the fundamental properties of brain organization and reorganization occurring due to neurodegenerative diseases, and develop methods and tools that can eventually be used for diagnostic and prognostic purposes.
Michael Devinney, M.D, Ph.D.
ADRC Interests: Clinical Trials
Affiliation: Duke
Delirium and cognitive dysfunction following surgery are associated with significant long-term risk for dementia, diminished quality of life, and increased mortality. To better understand the relationship between OSA, postoperative neurocognitive disorders and neuroinflammation, we are carrying out a prospective observational cohort study called Sleep Apnea, Neuroinflammation, and cognitive Dysfunction Manifesting After Non-cardiac surgery (SANDMAN).
Anita Disney, Ph.D.
ADRC Interests: Animal Models
Affiliation: Duke
We are interested in peri- and post-menopausal macaques as a model of preclinical late-onset AD. To understand the spatial neurochemistry of the aging primate brain, we look at within-subject spatial atlases of metabolite levels (spatial metabolome), protein expression (spatial proteome), and extant pathology for the cortex and cerebellum.
Chantell Evans, Ph.D.
ADRC Interests: Cell Biology - Neurodegeneration, Cell Biology - Immunology
Affiliation: Duke
The focus of the Evans lab is to mechanistically define these diverse mitochondrial quality control pathways, including mitochondrial fusion and fission events, mitochondrial derived vesicles, and mitophagy. Our goal is to understand how these pathways collaborate to regulate the mitochondrial network in healthy neurons and what goes wrong in neurodegenerative disease. We integrate advanced live-cell microscopy to visualize mitochondrial dynamics with biochemical techniques and proteomics to define the specificity of these mechanisms in primary neurons, iPSCs, and mouse models of disease.
Jason Franz, Ph.D.
Affiliation: UNC-Chapel Hill
The mission of the UNC Applied Biomechanics laboratory is to preserve independent mobility and prevent falls in our rapidly aging population through scientific and technological innovation. As a primary long-term vision, we seek to address the immediate need for innovation in the diagnosis and treatment of walking instability and falls risk in older adults and people with Alzheimer’s and related dementias.”
Vivian Go, Ph.D.
Affiliation: UNC-Chapel Hill
Research focuses on the intersection between HIV and co-morbidities including mental health and opioid use disorders, stigma and discrimination among key populations including people who inject drugs and men who have sex with men, and scaling up evidence-based HIV interventions.
Bradley Goldstein, M.D, Ph.D.
Affiliation: Duke
The lab’s basic research program is broadly focused on understanding damage and repair in the peripheral olfactory system. Current projects seek to identify aging-related changes in human olfactory mucosa; to understand how certain epigenetic complexes regulate adult olfactory neurogenesis; and to understand post-viral olfactory losses.
William Kirby Gottschalk, Ph.D.
ADRC Interests: Biomarkers, Animal Models
Affiliation: Duke
The focus of my research is to learn how alterations to core metabolic pathways contribute to mitochondrial dysfunction that underlies aging and many neurodegenerative diseases, including AD. I am also engaged in developing new genetic models of Alzheimer’s disease, that incorporate human genetic risk factors by targeted replacement.
Dilraj Grewal, M.D.
ADRC Interests: Biomarkers, Clinical Trials, Artificial Intelligence
Affiliation: Duke
Dilraj Grewal, MD specializes in the medical and surgical management of patients with complex Vitreoretinal pathology and Uveitis and is a Director of Grading at the Duke Reading Center. His research focus is on 1) Novel Retinal Imaging endpoints in Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases 2) Leveraging the use of artificial intelligence to create risk stratification models based on retinal imaging 3) Modeling longitudinal rates of change in retinal imaging in Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases to establish potential anatomical endpoints to incorporate into clinical trials.
Eric Griffith, PhD
Affiliation: Duke
Eric’s research interests include biocultural anthropology, dementia, cognitive aging, health disparities, and mixed methods research. As a postdoctoral fellow with the Cook Center, Eric is working on the NIH-funded project “The influence of religion/spirituality on Alzheimer’s Disease and its related dementias (ADRD) for African Americans.
Lisa Gwyther, M.S.W
Affiliation: Duke
Current research interests: Alzheimer's disease nursing home and assisted living care, community translation of evidence-based dementia caregiver interventions, early stage Alzheimer's programming, non-pharmacological approaches to dementia-related behavioral symptoms.
Hanzhang Xu, Ph.D., RN
ADRC Interests: Dementia Care, Geriatric Psychiatry
Affiliation: Duke
My current program of research falls under two themes: (i) the analysis of health disparities in a multinational context, with a particular focus on the cognitive function among older adults; and (ii) the integration of patient-reported social factors in cardiovascular outcome research.
Melissa Harris, Ph.D., RN
ADRC Interests: Clinical Trials
Affiliation: Duke
Dr. Harris’ research focuses broadly on the quality of life and care of people living with dementia and their families. More specifically, she is interested in developing, testing, and implementing non-pharmacologic interventions to enhance well-being of families living with dementia.
Keywords: dyads, community-based, mixed methods
Elizabeth Hauser, Ph.D.
ADRC Interests: Genetics
Affiliation: Duke
My research interests are focused on developing and applying statistical methods to search for genes causing common human diseases. Recent work has been in the development of statistical methods for genetic studies and in identifying optimal study designs for genetic studies of complex traits.
Gerardo Heiss, Ph.D.
Affiliation: UNC-Chapel Hill
Research include noninvasive measures of vascular disease in populations; genetic and environmental determinants of atherosclerosis; inflammatory precursors of diabetes and heart disease; cardiovascular health of women and minority populations; mechanisms relating socio-economic status to cardiovascular health and successful aging, and applications of electronic health records in population research.
Eleonora Lad, Ph.D., M.D.
ADRC Interests: Biomarkers, Clinical Trials
Affiliation: Duke
1) investigating the role of neuroinflammation and abnormal protein aggregates in the pathogenesis of AMD and developing relevant treatments
2) visual function testing in dry AMD with the goal of establishing functional endpoints for future clinical studies in early AMD
3) elucidating the use of novel retinal imaging biomarkers for early diagnosis of aging diseases (AMD and Alzheimer’s disease), including through the use of artificial intelligence (machine and deep learning).
Wonjae Lee, Ph.D.
Affiliation: Duke
Dr. Lee’s lab is to illuminate the role of cerebral vasculature, blood-brain barrier, in mediating the cross-talks between immune systems of the brain and peripheral bloodstream. They approach it by reconstructing a functional neurovascular unit (NVU) in a microfluidic chip as an experimental model to efficiently track the immune dynamics throughout the disease progression and treatments.
Yueh Lee, M.D., Ph.D.
Affiliation: UNC-Chapel Hill
Dr. Lee's areas of interest are brain tumors and new imaging techniques. Dr. Lee serves as the Department’s “translational” scientist and clinical neuroradiologist. He plays a key role in the development of the carbon nanotube CT scanner.
Edward Levin, Ph.D.
Affiliation: Duke
The three main research components of his laboratory are focused on the themes of the basic neurobiology of cognition and addiction, neurobehavioral toxicology and the development of novel therapeutic treatments for cognitive dysfunction and substance abuse.
Andy Liu, M.D.
ADRC Interests: Clinical Aging Research, Genetics
Affiliation: Duke
1. Investigate a neurodevelopmental disorder, Tuberous Sclerosis Complex, which has the potential to provide insight into the pathophysiological mechanism of a neurodegenerative disorders, Alzheimer's Disease.
2. In collaboration with Dr. Cathrine Hoyo, we are investigating an epigenetic mechanism to explain the racial disparities in the development of Alzheimer's disease between underrepresented minorities and European Americans.
3. I am interested in clinically characterizing the long-term cognitive and behavioral consequences in convalescent COVID-19 patients.
Hiroaki Matsunami, Ph.D.
ADRC Interests: Genetics
Affiliation: Duke
We are interested in the molecular mechanisms underlying chemosensation (taste and smell) in mammals. The receptors that detect odorants, pheromones, and many tastants including bitter and sweet chemicals are G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs), which typically have seven transmembrane domains.
Glenn Matsushima, Ph.D.
Affiliation: UNC-Chapel Hill
Our laboratory is interested primarily in the responses of macrophages during injury to the central nervous system and during inflammation after insult by bacterial pathogens. We use molecular, cellular and biochemical approaches both in vitro and in vivo to identify the function of key mediators during pathogenesis.
Rick Meeker, Ph.D.
ADRC Interests: Neuropharmacology, Neurodegeneration
Affiliation: UNC-Chapel Hill
My lab has a translational research focus exploring the damaging effects of inflammation and calcium dysregulation on early HIV and Alzheimer’s disease progression. Modification of neurotrophin receptor signaling by small molecules is emphasized for therapeutic intervention. A clinical trial has been proposed to prevent cognitive decline in people with HIV.
Key words: calcium imaging; neuroinflammation; neurodegeneration; HIV; Alzheimer’s disease; neurotrophins; multielectrode arrays
Jenna Merenstein, Ph.D.
ADRC Interests: Biomarkers, Cognition, Neuroimaging
Affiliation: Duke
Research summary: My research uses multiple MRI modalities (diffusion, fMRI) to assess the effect of brain aging on various cognitive abilities (memory, learning, attention) in adults across the lifespan. An overarching goal of my work is to differentiate the neural signatures of healthy brain aging from Alzheimer’s disease.
Rajendra Morey, M.D.
Affiliation: Duke
Research in my lab is focused on brain changes associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), and other neuropsychiatric disorders. We apply several advanced methods for understanding brain function including functional MRI, structural MRI, diffusion tensor imaging, and genetic effects.
Bernadette O'Donovan, Ph.D., MSc
ADRC Interests: Neurodegeneration, Alzheimer's Disease
Affiliation: Duke
Member of Chiba-Falek's lab - electrophysiology, microscopy, behavioral techniques, genetic and pharmacological models, and data analysis
Priya Palta, Ph.D.
Affiliation: UNC-Chapel Hill
Her current work focuses on the role of modifiable risk factors, such as physical activity, on cognition, physical function and quality of life metrics.
Laura Raffield, Ph.D.
ADRC Interests: Genetics
Affiliation: UNC-Chapel Hill
In my research program, I use human genomics and multi-omics to understand inherited and environmental risk factors for cardiometabolic diseases, Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, and related quantitative traits, with a focus on improved inclusion of African American and Hispanic/Latino populations in these efforts.
Kristal Riska, Ph.D.
Affiliation: Duke
Research focuses on: 1) improving the identification of Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo in primary care settings to enable timely access to cost-effective treatment, 2) characterizing the role of vestibular function and rehabilitative strategies in post-concussive/mild traumatic brain injury related dizziness; and 3) identifying and understanding the mechanisms that mediate the association between falls and hearing loss in an effort to develop interventions that will modify falls risk in the hearing impaired population.
Matt Scaglione, Ph.D.
Affiliation: Duke
The Scaglione lab is interested in the regulation of protein homeostasis (proteostasis) in neurodegenerative diseases. We use a wide array of model systems including protein biochemistry, the social amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum , human cell culture, and mouse models to understand cellular pathways that deal with misfolded proteins.
Eleanor Schildwachter McConnell, Ph.D.
Affiliation: Duke
Dr. McConnell's program of research focuses on factors that influence functional decline in very frail older adults. Her academic interests include frailty in the aged, the role of the environment in promoting function, and the conduct and testing of nursing interventions to prevent decline in those with chronic illness.
Megan Shephard-Banigan, Ph.D.
Affiliation: Duke
Dr. Megan Shepherd-Banigan designs research studies to improve the health, emotional well-being, and social functioning of adults with mental and physical disabilities. Her methods combine empirical approaches that address methodologically challenging research questions in health systems and policy research. Dr. Shepherd-Banigan uses large survey and administrative datasets to evaluate the impact of policies that support family members to care for adults with disabilities.
Mari Shinohara, Ph.D.
Affiliation: Duke
In my lab, we use mouse models for infectious and autoimmune diseases to understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms of; pathogen recognition by PRRs in macrophages and DCs, initiation of inflammatory responses in the innate immune system, and the impact of innate immune inflammation on the development and regulation of T cell-mediated adaptive immune responses.
Keats Shwab
ADRC Interests: Neurodegeneration, Alzheimer's Disease
Affiliation: Duke
Member of the Chiba-Falek Lab - Our research attempts to better understand the genetic processes underpinning age-related neurodegenerative diseases, in particular Alzheimer’s disease, related dementia, and Lewy body spectrum disorders.
Paul Suhocki, M.D.
Affiliation: Duke
My current interests in research include:
1. Improved anesthesia for liver intervention.
2. Thrombectomy device for dialysis fistulae and veins.
3. Improving diagnostic yield for difficult biliary duct biopsies.
4. Improving methods of small bowel and colonic arterial embolization.
5. Percutaneous intervention for pancreatic duct.
6. Prolonging the patency of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts.
7. Prolonging the patency of biliary stents.
Marvin Swartz, M.D.
Affiliation: Duke
My major research interest is in examining the effectiveness of services for severely mentally ill individuals, including factors that improve or impede good outcomes. Current research includes: the effectiveness of involuntary outpatient commitment, psychiatric advance directives, criminal justice outcomes for persons with mental illnesses, violence and mental illness and antipsychotic medications.
Niccolò Terrando, Ph.D.
Affiliation: Duke
The Neuroinflammation and Cognitive Outcomes Laboratory is committed to define the mechanisms underlying memory deficits after anesthesia and surgery especially in vulnerable models (neurodegeneration and aging) with an overarching goal of identify safe strategies to resolve neuroinflammation for postoperative delirium.
Courtney Van Houtven, Ph.D.
Affiliation: Duke
Dr. Van Houtven’s aging and economics research interests encompass long-term care financing, intra-household decision-making, informal care, and home- and community-based services. She examines how family caregiving affects health care utilization, expenditures, health and work outcomes of care recipients and caregivers. She is also interested in understanding how best to support family caregivers to optimize caregiver and care recipient outcomes.
Ryan Vetreno, Ph.D.
Affiliation: UNC-Chapel Hill
Focuses on the investigation of proinflammatory neuroimmune and epigenetic mechanisms in animal models of developmental neurobiology and neurodegeneration, including (1) alcohol pharmacology, (2) adolescent neurodevelopment, (3) cholinergic system and neurocircuitry, and (4) Alzheimer’s disease
Fan Wang, Ph.D.
ADRC Interests: Genetics
Affiliation: Duke
My lab studies neural circuit basis of sensory perception.
Specifically we are interested in determining neural circuits underlying (1) active touch sensation including tactile processing stream and motor control of touch sensors on the face; (2) pain sensation including both sensory-discriminative and affective aspects of pain; and (3) general anesthesia including the active pain-suppression process.
Heidi White, M.D.
Affiliation: Duke
Dr. White's clinical expertise involves the care of older adults, especially care transitions, long-term care, and post-acute care. Current work includes studying the effects of personalized music in older adults with dementia and implementing personalized music programs for pain and delirium relief in hospital and dementia care in nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
Guorong Wu, Ph.D.
ADRC Interests: Biomarkers
Affiliation: UNC-Chapel Hill
Interested in discovering biomarkers across neuro-diseases, exploring how variations in the genome change the structure and development of the brain, and establishing neuro-biological basis to visualize the pathophysiological mechanisms of neuro-diseases using data-driven approach.
Fei Zou, Ph.D.
ADRC Interests: Genetics
Affiliation: UNC-Chapel Hill
Dr. Zou’s research interests lie in the development and examination of the theoretical methodologies and statistical properties appropriate for the interpretation of genetic data. Her current research focuses on developing machine learning algorithms, such as deep learning, for big EHR data and high-dimensional genetic and genomic data.
