Sharon Abrahams is a Professor of Neuropsychology and holds a Personal Chair at the University of Edinburgh's School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences. She leads research in clinical and experimental neuropsychology, focusing on neurodegenerative diseases like motor neurone disease/ALS and frontotemporal dementia. Her work integrates neuroimaging, cognitive assessment, and clinical intervention. She is affiliated with the Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neurone Disease, the Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, and Edinburgh Neuroscience. Current PhD students include Monica de Icaza Valenzuela, Debbie Gray, and Caroline McHutchison. Abrahams has secured over 17 research grants since 2008, including projects on cognitive screening in MND, apathy impact, and the ECAS tool. Her research emphasizes cognitive and behavioral changes in ALS, with a focus on early detection, staging, and patient quality of life. Notable contributions include the Edinburgh Cognitive and Behavioural ALS Screen (ECAS), validated across multiple languages and populations.
Maria Chikina is an Assistant Professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine's Department of Computational and Systems Biology. She holds a PhD in Molecular Biology from Princeton University. Her research focuses on developing computational methods to analyze large-scale genomic datasets, bridging statistical rigor with biological insights to overcome experimental biases. Key research areas include latent variable modeling (e.g., PLIER, CellCODE), interpretable neural networks for sequence-to-function modeling, evolutionary rate analysis (RERconverge), and applications in tumor immunology, exercise genomics, and infectious disease (e.g., SARS-CoV-2). Her lab has developed tools like InstaPrism, NIFA, and L0 segmentation for data-driven biological discovery. Her work spans collaborations with institutions like UPMC (on tumor microenvironment) and the Molecular Transducers of Physical Activity Consortium (MoTraPAC). Notable projects include analyzing convergent evolution in marine mammals and subterranean species, and developing epigenetic biomarkers for disease states through the ECHO program. Lab members include PhD students (Rezwan Hosseini, Tugrul Balci) and postdocs (Tina Subic, Anish Sevekari). Past students Wynn Meyer now leads a group at Lehigh University. Her group emphasizes open-source tools (GitHub repository ChikinaLab) and interdisciplinary approaches to systems biology challenges.
Dr. Rachel Atkinson is a Research Fellow at the Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania. She specializes in neurodegenerative diseases, focusing on mechanisms underlying cell degeneration in ALS and frontotemporal dementia. Her work includes investigating protective responses to cold stress and metabolic alterations in motor neuron disease. She holds the MNDRA Bill Gole Fellowship (2024-2026) and collaborates internationally on projects exploring therapeutic targets like HDAC6 inhibition and leptin repurposing. Education: Bachelor of Biotechnology and Medical Research (University of Tasmania, 2010-2012) Bachelor of Biotechnology and Medical Research with Honours (2013) PhD in FTLD/ALS Proteins (2014-2018) Research Interests: Dr. Atkinson’s research centers on axon degeneration, neurofilament biology, and protective pathways in neurodegenerative diseases. She employs viral techniques, stem cell models, and mouse studies to dissect cellular mechanisms. Key areas include cold shock pathways, metabolic modulation, and protein mislocalization in ALS/FTD. Key Findings: Her work has identified roles for SARM1 and HDAC6 in axonal pathology, and demonstrated synergistic effects of leptin and pioglitazone in Alzheimer’s models. Recent studies explore cold stress as a therapeutic avenue for ALS. Awards: MNDRA Bill Gole Fellowship (2024-2026) Grants & Supervision: Leads over $1.4M in grants, including projects on axon degeneration mechanisms and gene-environment interactions in ALS. Supervises four PhD students and teaches dementia care and neuroscience courses. Labs & Collaborations: Part of the Wicking Centre, collaborating with Spain and UK groups on metabolic and therapeutic research.
University of Arkansas for Medical SciencesUnited States
Sue Griffin is a Professor at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences , affiliated with the College of Medicine and the Department of Geriatrics . She holds secondary appointments in Neurobiology & Developmental Science, Pediatrics, Physiology and Cell Biology, and Psychiatry. Her research focuses on neuroinflammation, Alzheimer’s disease, and the role of apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotypes in neurodegenerative pathogenesis. NIH/National Institute on Aging R01AG084472 (2023–2028): Principal Investigator on neuroinflammation, protein aggregates, and autophagy rescue NIH R01HD037989 (2000–2007): Principal Investigator on cytokines in neurodegeneration and Down's syndrome NIH P01AG012411 (1995–2021): Principal Investigator on early events in Alzheimer pathogenesis Her work spans interdisciplinary fields including neuroimmunology, protein homeostasis, and cytokine signaling. Publications highlight connections between inflammation (e.g., IL-1β), amyloid pathology, and genetic risk factors like APOE4. She has contributed to understanding neuroinflammatory mechanisms in Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Down’s syndrome. Griffin’s recent articles focus on therapeutic strategies targeting autophagy, neuroinflammatory signaling in glioblastoma, and microbial contributions to Alzheimer’s neuropathology. Her research has been supported by NIH grants for over three decades, with collaborations across neurology, genetics, and pharmacology. She is affiliated with the Institute on Aging and the Center for Translational Neuroscience . Her work has been cited in over 50 scientific concepts, including Alzheimer Disease, Epilepsy, and Apolipoproteins E.
Institute of Hygiene and Tropical MedicinePortugal
Prof. Dr. Josef Priller is a Professor at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin and the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) in Berlin, Germany. His interdisciplinary research group comprises neurologists, psychiatrists, and neuropsychologists focused on neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Huntington's disease (HD), and frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD). His primary research interests include: Neuroimmunology and microglial dysfunction in central nervous system homeostasis Phase 1-3 clinical trials for neurodegenerative therapeutics Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia Immunophenotyping of myeloid cells via RNA sequencing and mass cytometry Drug repurposing targeting cellular proteostasis Patient-derived pluripotent stem cell models for disease mechanisms As a leading clinical center in the DELCODE study, his team investigates early Alzheimer's indicators through olfactory-cognitive correlations and bioenergetic biomarkers. In DESCRIBE-FTD, they elucidate frontotemporal dementia pathogenesis. His group coordinates industry-sponsored trials and investigator-initiated studies (e.g., EGCG in green tea) while contributing to clinical dementia guidelines. Prof. Priller's translational work bridges laboratory immunophenotyping with clinical applications, emphasizing myeloid cell roles in neurodegeneration and biomarker discovery for disease progression.
Christopher D. Link is an Associate Professor in the Department of Integrative Physiology at the University of Colorado Boulder , affiliated with the Institute for Behavioral Genetics . His research focuses on understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms of age-associated neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). University: University of Colorado Boulder Affiliation: Institute for Behavioral Genetics Department: Integrative Physiology Email: linkc@colorado.edu Dr. Link's lab develops Caenorhabditis elegans models expressing human disease proteins (e.g., beta amyloid in AD, TDP-43 in ALS) to identify genetic and molecular pathways driving pathology. These models enable high-throughput screening of modifiers and potential therapeutics, complemented by mammalian cell studies and bioinformatic analysis of deep sequencing data. Recent publications highlight his work on PKR signaling in sleep regulation (2023), TDP-43 knockdown mechanisms (2023), hydrogen sulfide supplementation (2022), and bisphenol A effects on aging (2022). His lab also investigates protein aggregation, neuroinflammation, and genetic modifiers of neurodegeneration. The Molecular Biology of Neurodegeneration Lab has contributed to understanding amyloid-β toxicity, TDP-43 functions in chromatin regulation (2018), and stress granule dynamics (2018). Collaborations span biofluid proteomics, induced pluripotent stem cell modeling, and transcriptomic analysis of ALS/FTLD pathologies.
Katya Rascovsky, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Neurology at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania. She holds committee memberships in the Penn Latin America Center Steering Committee, Hospital University Hospital (HUP) Neurology Inclusion and Diversity (iDARE) Community and Social Action Committee, Committee on Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity at Penn Memory Center, and Penn Neuropsychology Internship Committee. Education: B.A. in Biological Basis Behavior & Psychology, University of Pennsylvania (1993) M.A. in Psychology, New York University (1995) M.S. in Clinical Psychology, San Diego State University (2004) Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology/Neuropsychology, University of California, San Diego/San Diego State University (2005) Research Focus: Dr. Rascovsky specializes in neurodegenerative disorders with emphasis on Frontotemporal Dementia, Alzheimer's Disease, and Primary Progressive Aphasia. Her work integrates neuropsychological assessment with behavioral analysis, particularly focusing on Latino populations and Spanish-language neuropsychological instruments. She leads adaptation of the NACC FTLD Module for Spanish-speaking populations and participates in the US Consortium of Aging, Dementia & Latino Studies. Publication Trends: Her recent research (2015-2016) demonstrates consistent focus on neuroimaging correlates of neurodegenerative disorders, particularly frontotemporal degeneration variants. Studies examine pathological mechanisms, cognitive-behavioral manifestations, and experimental interventions, utilizing multimodal approaches including neuroimaging, neuropathology, and behavioral assessment across diverse patient populations. Committees & Collaborations: Penn Latin America Center Steering Committee HUP Neurology Inclusion and Diversity (iDARE) Committee Penn Memory Center Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity Committee Penn Neuropsychology Internship Committee US Consortium of Aging, Dementia & Latino Studies
University of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterUnited States
Charles L. White, III, M.D., is a Professor of Pathology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. He holds the Nancy R. McCune Distinguished Chair in Alzheimer Disease Research and serves as Director of Neuropathology and the Neuropathology Core for the UT Southwestern Alzheimer Disease Research Center. Additionally, he directs the Winspear Family Special Center for Research on the Neuropathology of Alzheimer's Disease and oversees the ACGME-accredited Neuropathology Fellowship program, which has trained 22 board-certified neuropathologists since 1988. Clinical/Research Focus: Neurodegenerative brain disorders, tauopathies, TDP-43 encephalopathy, amyloid-β pathology, and digital pathology applications. Leadership: Past President of the American Association of Neuropathologists. Awards: 2020 Award for Meritorious Contributions to Neuropathology. His research explores the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying Alzheimer's disease, chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), and other tauopathies, with a focus on genetic modifiers, immune dysfunction, and diagnostic biomarkers. He has pioneered AI applications in neuropathology and contributed to standardized criteria for LATE-NC staging and progressive supranuclear palsy.
Helmholtz Association of German Research CentersGermany
Dr. Bettina Schmid serves as Group Leader of the Fish Unit at the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) in Munich, where she directs pioneering research on neurodegenerative disorders using zebrafish models. Her work focuses on deciphering molecular mechanisms of Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) through CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing in zebrafish. The Fish Unit leverages the transparency of zebrafish embryos for non-invasive in vivo imaging and functional analysis of disease genes, with particular emphasis on RNA-binding proteins in ALS pathogenesis. As one of the first groups to apply CRISPR/Cas9 in zebrafish (Hruscha et al., Development 2015), they maintain state-of-the-art facilities that serve as a technology platform for DZNE collaborators. The research program integrates high-throughput genetic modeling with therapeutic development, utilizing the zebrafish's rapid breeding cycle (hundreds of eggs weekly per female) to accelerate discovery. Her team's work bridges molecular genetics and disease pathology to identify novel therapeutic targets for neurodegenerative conditions.
Professor Jürgen Götz is the Foundation Chair of Dementia Research and Director of the Clem Jones Centre for Ageing and Dementia Research at the Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland. He holds an NHMRC Leadership Fellowship and leads the Ultrasound Team in dementia therapies. Previously, he was a Professor and Chair of Molecular Biology at the University of Sydney. His research focuses on Alzheimer’s disease mechanisms, including tau and amyloid-β pathologies, and innovative therapies like therapeutic ultrasound. He pioneered clinical trials of ultrasound-based treatments for dementia. Education: PhD in Immunology (University of Basel), postdoctoral training at UCSF and Sandoz Ltd (Novartis), and a Dr. habil. from the University of Zurich. Research Interests: Molecular mechanisms of neurodegeneration, tau protein dynamics, therapeutic ultrasound for brain disorders, and translational medicine. His lab develops non-invasive ultrasound techniques to enhance drug delivery and restore cognitive function. Publications: Over 270 peer-reviewed articles, including high-impact journals like Science , Cell , and Lancet . Recent work emphasizes ultrasound’s role in clearing amyloid plaques and modulating tau pathology. Awards: Highly Cited Researcher (Clarivate), FAHMS, GAICD, and the Lesleigh Green Endowed Chair. His work has generated over 27,800 citations (h-index 86). Advising & Grants: Supervised numerous PhD candidates and leads grants in dementia and ultrasound therapies. Collaborates globally on clinical trials and preclinical models. Labs/Teams: Directs the Clem Jones Centre and oversees the Götz Lab, focusing on dementia’s molecular basis and therapeutic innovations.
Nitin Williams is a Visiting Professor in the Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering. His research focuses on brain connectivity, aging, and neuroimaging techniques like MEG and fMRI. He has contributed to understanding functional connectivity dynamics, age-related neural changes, and computational models of brain networks. Recent work includes studies on TMS-evoked potentials, phase synchronization in resting-state networks, and discrete Ricci curvatures to analyze brain networks. He has collaborated internationally, including a visiting research stint at the Institute of Mathematical Sciences in India. Williams is an active member of academic communities, serving on editorial boards for journals like Frontiers in Computational Neuroscience and Network: Computation in Neural Systems . His datasets, including connectome analyses and biophysical models, highlight computational approaches to neuroscience challenges. Key research themes include: (1) Aging’s impact on neural plasticity and connectivity, (2) Biophysical modeling of phase synchronization, (3) Multimodal neuroimaging integration, and (4) Applications of graph theory in brain network analysis.
University of California, Los AngelesUnited States
Daniel Geschwind, M.D., Ph.D., is the Gordon and Virginia MacDonald Distinguished Chair in Human Genetics and Professor of Neurology and Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). He serves as the founding Director of the Center for Autism Research and Treatment (CART) and Co-Director of the Center for Neurobehavioral Genetics, with additional appointments in the Tennenbaum Center for the Biology of Creativity, the Brain Research Institute, and multiple Graduate Ph.D. Program Home Areas (Bioinformatics, Neuroscience, Medical Informatics, Genetics & Genomics, Workforce Development). Education & Training: While specific degree-granting institutions are not listed in the provided text, Dr Geschwind holds both M.D. and Ph.D. degrees and completed clinical and research training that led to board certification in neurology and human genetics. Research Focus: Geschwind’s laboratory integrates large-scale human genetics, functional genomics, single-cell transcriptomics, and systems biology to understand the genetic architecture of neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases. Major themes include: Autism spectrum disorders and related neurodevelopmental conditions Frontotemporal dementia, progressive supranuclear palsy, and Alzheimer disease Gene-regulatory networks controlling neuronal identity and synaptic function Multi-omics biomarker discovery for early diagnosis and therapeutic targeting Grant Support & Leadership: He has served as Principal Investigator on numerous NIH MERIT, Autism Centers of Excellence, and foundation awards, including the Paul G. Allen Foundation Distinguished Investigator Award. His leadership roles span the UCLA ATLAS Community Health Initiative, international genetics consortia (e.g., ALLFTD, iPSYCH, PsychENCODE), and advisory boards for the National Academy of Medicine. Scientific Awards: 2022 Rhoda & Bernard Sarnat International Prize in Mental Health, National Academy of Medicine 2022 Cotzias Lecture & Award, American Academy of Neurology 2021 Gold Medal, Society of Biological Psychiatry 2015 Paul G. Allen Foundation Distinguished Investigator Award 2006–2015 NIMH MERIT Award Election to the National Academy of Medicine and American Academy of Physicians Laboratory & Teams: The Geschwind Laboratory is housed at 695 Charles E Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA 90095. The group comprises post-doctoral fellows, graduate students, computational biologists, and clinical research coordinators working at the intersection of genomics, neuroscience, and precision medicine.
Helmholtz Association of German Research CentersGermany
Dr. Tilman Breiderhoff serves as Group Leader of the Genome Engineering Unit at the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) in Munich, Germany, operating from the Center for Stroke and Dementia Research (CSD) in Großhadern. His unit specializes in generating advanced mouse models for dementia, frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). His research focuses on genome engineering applications including CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genetic modifications, development of point mutations and conditional knock-out models, and molecular dissection of neurodegenerative disease mechanisms. The unit provides centralized expertise in targeting strategy design, model validation, and mutant analysis for preclinical therapeutic development. Under Dr. Breiderhoff's direction, the Genome Engineering Unit continuously develops refined genome editing methods to improve targeting efficiency while reducing unintended mutations and animal usage. No information was available regarding student advising, grant funding, or scientific awards in the provided materials.
Dr Anton Calabrese is a University Academic Fellow in Biological Mass Spectrometry at the University of Leeds, affiliated with the Faculty of Biological Sciences and the School of Molecular and Cellular Biology. His research focuses on the structural and dynamic characterization of complex biological systems using advanced mass spectrometry techniques. His research interests lie at the intersection of structural biology, proteomics, and cellular dynamics. He specializes in studying transient and heterogeneous protein assemblies that are central to essential cellular functions and disease mechanisms. Using an integrative structural biology approach, he combines native mass spectrometry with ion mobility, chemical crosslinking, hydrogen-deuterium exchange, and FPOP to probe protein conformations and interactions in dynamic systems. Dr Calabrese's work targets key biological challenges, including the assembly mechanisms of viral replication factories in pathogens like Rotavirus, the structural basis of liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) in membrane-less organelles, and the role of protein dynamics in neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS and FTLD. He is also developing in-cell structural MS methodologies to study protein architecture within the native cellular environment. His research has significant implications for understanding fundamental biological processes and identifying novel therapeutic targets, particularly in virology and neurodegeneration. While no specific awards or publications are listed, his methodological innovations position him at the forefront of structural proteomics and dynamic structural biology. Position: University Academic Fellow in Biological Mass Spectrometry Institution: University of Leeds Faculty: Biological Sciences School: School of Molecular and Cellular Biology Location: Astbury 9.108g Contact: a.calabrese@leeds.ac.uk | +44(0) 113 343 7272 Dr Calabrese leads an independent research program focused on method development and application in structural mass spectrometry. His lab aims to bridge the gap between in vitro and in vivo structural biology by refining techniques such as XL-MS and FPOP for intracellular use, enabling real-time analysis of macromolecular assemblies in their native context.
University of California, San FranciscoUnited States
Lea T. Grinberg, MD, PhD is a Full Professor of Neurology at the University of California San Francisco and Professor of Pathology at the University of São Paulo. She leads the UCSF Neurodegenerative Disease Brain Bank , directs the Human Biology Validation Core for the NIH/U54 Tau Consortium, and co-leads the Neuropathology Core for the LEADS project. Her research focuses on: Brainstem neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease Sleep disturbances in neurodegenerative conditions Tau and amyloid-beta pathophysiology Neuroinflammatory mechanisms Global brain health disparities Neuropathological biomarker validation Her 15 most recent publications span tau PET imaging, synaptic degeneration mechanisms, and genetic risk factors for FTLD-TDP subtypes. She has received the UNESCO-L'Oréal Award for Women in Science and the John Douglas French Alzheimer Foundation Distinguished Research Scholar Award, and contributes to: International dementia research initiatives Neuropathological consensus criteria development Global brain health policy frameworks Neurodegenerative disease education programs
