Andrew A. Ortiz

Andrew A. Ortiz, Ph.D., serves as Chief of Staff and Operations and Research Coordinator at the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine's Department of Brain Health at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. A neuroscientist specializing in Alzheimer's disease, he integrates preclinical and translational approaches to investigate how metabolic dysfunction increases Alzheimer's risk.

• Current affiliation: Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine, Department of Brain Health
• Leadership role: Chambers-Grundy Center for Transformative Neuroscience

Research focus: Metabolic and inflammatory factors in Alzheimer's pathogenesis, including diabetes, obesity, insulin resistance, gut-microbiome-brain axis, aging, menopause, and GABA receptor signaling. Utilizes transgenic mouse models, biochemical techniques, and human biofluid analysis.

Collaborative initiatives: Coordinates multidisciplinary research projects involving faculty, clinicians, biotechnology companies, and external partners at the Chambers-Grundy Center, which is directed by renowned Alzheimer's expert Dr. Jeffrey L. Cummings.

Mentorship: Provides training in Jefferson W. Kinney's Translational Mechanisms and Drug Discovery Laboratory and the Pam Quirk Brain Health and Biomarker Laboratory.