Research Summary:

Our research focuses on how synaptic plasticity is impaired in neurodegenerative disease, with an emphasis on Alzheimer's disease. We are interested both in studying mechanisms of synaptic dysfunction as well as in identifying targets for therapeutic intervention. Specific issues we are currently focused on are:

1) I am interested in what beta-amyloid is normally doing in the brains of people without Alzheimer's disease. Beta-amyloid is present at low levels in the brain throughout life, and may have an important role in normal brain physiology. Ironically, there is some evidence that beta-amyloid actually facilitates neuronal connectivity and memory in people when it is present at low (normal) concentrations, and becomes toxic to neurons at higher concentrations. By studying its normal function and how it is regulated, we hope to understand better how it may accumulate in the brains of Alzheimer's patients.

2) We are using computational techniques to analyze genome expression data from neurons of Alzheimer's patients to determine whether there are any transcription factors that are primarily responsible for driving synaptic dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease. Transcription factors identified through this effort will be further studied as possible targets for therapeutic intervention.

Education and Training:

BA: Cornell University, 1998
PhD: Columbia University, 2005
MD: Columbia University, 2006
Residency/Fellowship (Anatomic and Neuropathology): Columbia University Medical Center/NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, 2006-2010