Eric Harshfield

Dr. Eric Harshfield is a Senior Research Associate and Research Fellow at the University of Cambridge's Department of Clinical Neurosciences, School of Clinical Medicine. Affiliated with St John's College and the UK Dementia Research Institute, his research is funded by the Alzheimer’s Society. He leads projects focused on stroke and dementia prediction using multi-omics and AI, with dual emphasis on identifying therapeutic targets and enhancing risk stratification models.

His research integrates:

• Multi-omics approaches (metabolomics, proteomics, genomics) to map causal pathways in cerebrovascular disease
• Advanced neuroimaging (MRI, diffusion tensor imaging) for biomarker discovery
• Machine learning models for dementia prediction in small vessel disease
• Mendelian randomization to validate therapeutic targets

Recent publications demonstrate strong focus on:

• AI-driven dementia biomarker discovery (2023)
• Metabolomic signatures of stroke/dementia (2023)
• Clinical trials targeting blood-brain barrier dysfunction (2024)
• Genetic determinants of cardiometabolic-cerebrovascular links (2021-2025)

He mentors PhD candidates and collaborates internationally through the Stroke Research Group and Deep Dementia Phenotyping Network. Current projects include MINERVA—a phase II trial testing minocycline for small vessel disease—and UK Biobank genetic analyses.