Catherine Kaczorowski

Catherine Kaczorowski serves as a Professor in the Department of Neurology at the University of Michigan Medical School. Her research program focuses on understanding the mechanisms underlying Alzheimer's disease and related dementias through innovative mouse models that incorporate genetic diversity.

Dr. Kaczorowski's research spans multiple critical areas in neuroscience, with particular emphasis on Alzheimer's Disease mechanisms, genetic diversity in disease models, and cognitive resilience. Her laboratory investigates how genetic variations influence brain composition, sleep patterns, and cognitive outcomes in Alzheimer's disease models. Key research thrusts include examining the brain renin angiotensin system, sleep-cognition relationships in dementia, and how gut microbiota may impact neurodegeneration. Her work with the AD-BXD mouse model has provided significant insights into how genetic diversity affects disease progression and resilience.

Analysis of Dr. Kaczorowski's recent publications (2024-2025) reveals a strong focus on genetic diversity as a critical factor in Alzheimer's disease research. Her team has published extensively on how genetically diverse mouse models can better represent human population variability than traditional inbred strains. Key themes include cognitive resilience mechanisms, brain composition variations, and the impact of genetic background on treatment responses. Her work bridges basic neuroscience with translational applications, particularly in developing more accurate preclinical models for therapeutic testing.

Dr. Kaczorowski has secured numerous research grants at the University of Michigan (38 UM Grants documented), supporting her innovative work in dementia research. Her laboratory collaborates extensively with other researchers across institutions, as evidenced by her numerous co-authored publications with scientists from Jackson Laboratory, University of Pennsylvania, and other leading research centers. She has mentored multiple early-career researchers who appear as co-authors on her publications.

Dr. Kaczorowski is a key contributor to the Jackson Laboratory Center for Alzheimer's and Dementia Research, where she participates in collaborative workshops and multidisciplinary research initiatives. Her laboratory utilizes complex genetic mouse models, advanced neuroimaging techniques, and comprehensive behavioral assessments to investigate dementia mechanisms. The research team employs cutting-edge approaches including transcriptome analysis, brain pathology assessments, and longitudinal studies of cognitive function in genetically diverse populations.