Ashley Walker

Dr. Ashley Walker is an Associate Professor in the Department of Human Physiology at the University of Oregon, where she leads the Aging and Vascular Physiology Laboratory since 2017. Her work bridges vascular biology with neurodegenerative disease research, focusing on age-related vascular dysfunction mechanisms.

• Education: BS in Exercise & Sport Science (Oregon State University), PhD in Integrative Physiology (University of Colorado Boulder), Postdocs at Cedars-Sinai & University of Utah

Her research investigates how aging impairs vascular health through inflammation, telomere uncapping, and hormonal changes, linking these to dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Key findings demonstrate how interventions like caloric restriction, exercise, and pyridoxamine improve vascular outcomes in aged models.

Recent publications highlight her work on sex differences in vascular aging and atherosclerosis progression. Funded by NIH and the Alzheimer's Association, she explores translational therapies for vascular cognitive impairment.

• Key Awards:
  • National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants
  • Alzheimer's Association research funding
  • John L. Luvaas Family Fund support
• Scientific Impact:
  • 45+ peer-reviewed publications
  • Extensive NIH/Alzheimer's Association funding
  • Leadership in vascular aging mechanisms

Dr. Walker's work has established critical frameworks connecting vascular stiffness to brain health, with implications for age-related neurodegeneration. Her laboratory continues to investigate novel interventions for vascular senescence.