Holly N Cukier

Dr. Holly N. Cukier serves as a Research Assistant Professor in the Dr. John T. Macdonald Foundation Department of Human Genetics at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, where she investigates the genetic foundations of Alzheimer's disease and autism spectrum disorders through family studies and minority population analyses.

Her academic credentials include:

• PhD in Molecular and Human Genetics from Baylor College of Medicine (2007)
• BS in Biology with Chemistry minor from the University of Miami (1999)

Dr. Cukier's research integrates population genetics with cutting-edge stem cell technology, focusing on identifying genetic risk variants in diverse cohorts and developing patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) models to dissect disease mechanisms. Her work specifically examines how genetic differences in African American populations contribute to Alzheimer's pathology and autism susceptibility, with emphasis on cellular phenotypes like cytoskeletal organization and synaptic function.

Recent publications demonstrate her leadership in functional genomics of Alzheimer's disease, particularly through investigations of TTC3 and ABCA7 variants using iPSC-derived neuronal models. These studies reveal novel pathways linking genetic risk to cellular dysfunction in neurodegeneration, with strong translational potential for therapeutic development.

Her scientific contributions have been recognized with prestigious awards including:

• New Investigator Research Grant from the Dale Schenk Alzheimer’s Association Research Roundtable Grant Program
• NARSAD Young Investigator Grant from the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation
• Ed and Ethel Moore Alzheimer’s Disease Research Grant from the Florida Department of Health
• Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award from NIH
• Travel Fellowship from Alzheimer’s Association International Conference
• Reviewers’ Choice Abstract at American Society of Human Genetics Annual Meeting
• Travel Award and Trainee Research Award Semifinalist at International Congress of Human Genetics
• Baylor Research Advocates for Student Scientists Scholar Finalist
• Elizabeth Wagner Internship at Duke University
• Henry King Stanford Half Tuition Scholarship
• Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society membership
• Patricia Schneller Scholarship
• Vice President’s Award for Service nomination

Dr. Cukier's grant portfolio demonstrates sustained funding success, with current projects supporting her innovative work on patient-specific iPSC models to bridge genetic findings with functional neurobiology in Alzheimer's disease. Her research directly informs precision medicine approaches for neurodegenerative disorders.

She directs a research program generating induced pluripotent stem cell lines from Alzheimer's patients to create physiological models of disease, with particular focus on how population-specific genetic variants alter cellular pathways. This work establishes critical infrastructure for testing therapeutic interventions in genetically defined patient subgroups.