Christopher R. Martens

Christopher R. Martens is an Associate Professor in the Department of Kinesiology & Applied Physiology within the College of Health Sciences at the University of Delaware. He serves as Director of the Delaware Center for Cognitive Aging Research (DECCAR), leading initiatives focused on understanding vascular contributions to cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease.

His educational background includes:

• BS in Exercise Science from the University of Delaware
• PhD in Applied Physiology from the University of Delaware
• Postdoctoral Fellowship in Physiology of Aging from the University of Colorado Boulder

Dr. Martens' research centers on neurovascular aging mechanisms, investigating how cardiovascular risk factors like hypertension and arterial stiffness accelerate cognitive impairment. His work pioneers interventions using exercise regimens, nutraceuticals (particularly Nicotinamide riboside), and lifestyle modifications to enhance cerebrovascular function. The Neurovascular Aging Laboratory employs advanced techniques including MR elastography and arterial spin labeling to quantify brain mechanics and blood flow dynamics in aging populations.

Analysis of his 2023-2025 publications reveals three dominant research trajectories: 1) Cardiometabolic drivers of cerebrovascular dysfunction (LDL-C, added sugar, Western diet), 2) Immunometabolic pathways linking T-cell function to vascular health, and 3) Translational applications of brain biomechanics for early dementia detection. His work increasingly integrates community-based interventions like the Brain-WISE program for dementia risk reduction.

Scientific Awards:

• No specific personal awards listed in source materials

As DECCAR Director, Dr. Martens mentors graduate students in Kinesiology & Applied Physiology while overseeing major NIH-funded initiatives including U54 GM104941 and P20 GM113125. His research portfolio includes industry partnerships for nutraceutical trials and community grants from the Paul H. Boerger Fund and Swank Foundation, with recent expansion into NSF-funded engineering-health collaborations (ART #2331440).

The Neurovascular Aging Laboratory operates within DECCAR's multidisciplinary ecosystem, utilizing the Center for Simulation Innovation for cognitive testing and collaborating with UD STAR Campus facilities. Key initiatives include the Brain Health Registry for longitudinal studies and the Brain-WISE community program, which delivers evidence-based dementia prevention workshops through Delaware's public health infrastructure.