George Perry

George Perry is a Professor and holds the Semmes Foundation Endowed Distinguished University Chair in Neurobiology at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), within the College of Sciences and the Department of Neuroscience, Developmental and Regenerative Biology. He is a leading researcher in Alzheimer's disease, focusing on oxidative stress and neurodegeneration. Previously, he served as dean of the College of Sciences at UTSA.

Education:

• B.A. in Zoology, University of California, Santa Barbara
• Ph.D. in Marine Biology, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego (1979)
• Postdoctoral Fellowship, Baylor College of Medicine

Dr. Perry's research centers on the role of oxidative stress in Alzheimer's disease, particularly how free radicals damage brain cells and contribute to dementia. His lab employs mass spectrometry and imaging techniques to study senile plaques and mitochondrial dysfunction in vulnerable neurons. A key focus is understanding the metabolic origins of oxidative damage and the consequences of RNA oxidation on protein synthesis. His work aims to identify early interventions for Alzheimer's, potentially benefiting individuals as young as their 30s and 40s.

Dr. Perry is a founding editor-in-chief of the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and a member of the Alzheimer's Foundation of America's Medical, Scientific, and Memory Screening Advisory Board. He has over 1,000 publications and is among the most cited scientists in neuroscience and free radical research.

Scientific Awards and Honors:

• Denham Harman Research Award (American Aging Association)
• Alzheimer Award and Medal (twice)
• ISI Highly Cited Researcher
• Fellow of AAAS, Sigma Xi, Microscopy Society of America, Royal Society of Chemistry, and multiple other national and international academies

Dr. Perry has advised notable researchers such as Paula Moreira and Mark Smith. His lab receives funding from major agencies including the NIH, NSF, and Department of Defense. He is actively involved in collaborative research through consortia such as the UTSA Brain Health Consortium and the Center for Innovative Drug Discovery.

He leads the Perry Lab at UTSA, which focuses on unraveling the molecular mechanisms of Alzheimer's disease using cutting-edge analytical techniques. The lab investigates senile plaque composition, oxidative damage pathways, and metabolic dysfunctions in neurons. The team collaborates widely and utilizes resources from institutions like the South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases and the Institute for Health Disparities Research.