Robert Barber

Robert Barber, PhD, is a Professor in Family Medicine and Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine at the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine (University of North Texas Health Science Center). His research focuses on genetic and environmental determinants of Alzheimer’s disease, particularly in Mexican American and non-Hispanic white populations, and the role of gut microbiota in neurodegeneration. He holds a BS in Biology (Tulane University), MS in Marine Biology (Texas A&M University), and PhD in Genetics (Texas A&M University).

Key research interests include:

• Prediction of Alzheimer’s disease risk using genetic, demographic, and environmental factors
• Ethnic disparities in Alzheimer’s pathogenesis (e.g., Mexican Americans vs. non-Hispanic whites)
• Mitochondrial dysfunction biomarkers for cognitive decline
• Microbiome-neurodegeneration interactions

Recent work emphasizes blood-based biomarkers for early disease detection and population-specific genetic risk profiles. He leads 31 sponsored projects including NIH-funded initiatives like the Health & Aging Brain Study - Health Disparities (HABS-HD). Over 128 peer-reviewed publications span Alzheimer’s genetics, mitochondrial biology, and biomarker development.