Sheila Fleming

Dr. Sheila Fleming is an Associate Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Director of the Neurodegenerative Disease and Aging Research Focus Area at Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED). She leads the Fleming Lab, which investigates molecular mechanisms underlying Parkinson’s disease (PD), focusing on alpha-synuclein aggregation, gene-environment interactions, and therapeutic interventions including exercise and immunotherapy.

Her research employs behavioral neuroscience approaches combined with molecular and cellular analyses in rodent models. Current projects include studying the effects of treadmill exercise on cognitive and motor deficits in PD models, developing dance therapy protocols using motion capture technology, and exploring heavy metal exposure’s impact on neurodegeneration. Dr. Fleming’s work bridges basic science and translational research, with a focus on identifying therapeutic targets and improving patient outcomes.

She has secured grants from NIH/NIEHS and the Department of Defense, including a study on ATP13A2’s role in neurodegeneration susceptibility and a project evaluating exercise’s efficacy in alpha-synuclein models of PD. The Fleming Lab collaborates widely, integrating genetics, pharmacology, and behavioral assessment to advance understanding of Parkinsonian pathology.

• Labs/Teams: Fleming Lab (NEOMED) focuses on Parkinson’s disease mechanisms and translational research.
• Grants: NIH/ NIEHS (1R01ES031124), DoD (W81XWH-19-0772).
• Key Contributions: Pioneered alpha-synuclein preformed fibril rat models, demonstrated exercise’s neuroprotective effects, and developed novel behavioral assays for PD phenotyping.