Todd J. Cohen

Todd J. Cohen, PhD is an Associate Professor in the Department of Neurology at the UNC School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His research focuses on understanding protein aggregation mechanisms in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), with emphasis on tau and TDP-43 proteins. He leads the Cohen Lab, which employs multidisciplinary approaches combining biochemistry, genetics, and cell biology to uncover molecular pathways underlying protein misfolding and aggregation. His work has identified key roles for post-translational modifications like acetylation in driving pathological processes.

Education: PhD in Pharmacology and Cancer Biology from Duke University (2008), BS in Microbiology, Biochemistry, and General Business from Capital College (Pennsylvania State University, 2000). Additional training includes roles at Fox Chase Cancer Center and the University of Pennsylvania’s Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research.

Research interests center on how lysine acetylation and other PTMs regulate protein aggregation, particularly in neurodegenerative contexts. Current projects include tau-mediated neurodegeneration in AD, TDP-43-driven ALS/FTLD mechanisms, and developing novel antibodies targeting acetylated tau. His lab has pioneered insights into HDAC6’s role in suppressing tau pathology and TDP-43 aggregation dynamics.

Notable achievements include NIH K99/R00 awards (2012–2017) and recognition as a Rising Star in The Scientist (2019). He has published over 50 peer-reviewed articles, with recent work on tau monoclonal antibodies and TDP-43 mouse models. The Cohen Lab actively mentors students and researchers, fostering collaboration across disciplines to advance therapeutic strategies against neurodegenerative diseases.

Lab members include PhD candidates, undergraduates, and postdoctoral researchers working on projects like tau aggregation mechanisms, HDAC6 activation effects, and ALS-related protein interactions. The lab maintains close ties with UNC’s Neuroscience Center and collaborates with the Duke-UNC Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center.