Michael A Yassa

Michael A. Yassa is a Professor of Anatomy & Neurobiology and Neurology at the University of California, Irvine (UCI), holding the James L. McGaugh Chair in Neurobiology of Learning and Memory. He serves as Director of the Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory and Associate Dean of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the School of Biological Sciences. His research focuses on understanding how memory processes are affected by aging, neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, and sleep-related factors. Yassa employs advanced neuroimaging techniques (e.g., MRI, PET) and behavioral assessments to explore neural mechanisms of memory consolidation, particularly in the medial temporal lobe. His work bridges basic neuroscience with clinical applications, investigating interventions to mitigate cognitive decline. He has authored over 100 peer-reviewed articles on topics including cerebrovascular disease, amyloid-β pathology, and the impact of sleep apnea on brain health. Yassa leads multidisciplinary teams and collaborates internationally on studies of neurodegenerative biomarkers and translational therapies. His professional roles include advisory roles for pharmaceutical companies and startups in Alzheimer’s drug development.

• Affiliations: UCI School of Medicine, Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, Department of Neurology
• Research Themes: Memory Systems, Neuroimaging, Aging Brain, Alzheimer’s Disease Pathology

Key contributions include identifying associations between sleep disruption, cerebrovascular changes, and memory deficits in older adults. He investigates how exercise and environmental enrichment enhance cognitive resilience. Yassa’s work emphasizes translating laboratory findings into clinical strategies for early disease detection and intervention.