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Svetlana Ukraintseva

Research Professor in the Social Science Research Institute
Social Science Research Institute
Box 90420, Durham, NC 27708-0420
2024 W. Main St, Erwin Mill Bldg, A105, Durham, NC 27708-0420

Overview


Dr. Ukraintseva studies causes of human aging and related decline in resilience, to identify genetic and other factors responsible for the increase in mortality risk with age eventually limiting longevity. She explores complex relationships, including trade-offs, between physiological aging-changes and risks of major diseases (with emphasis on Alzheimer’s and cancer), as well as survival, to find new genetic and other targets for anti-aging interventions and disease prevention. She also investigates possibilities of repurposing of existing vaccines and treatments for AD prevention and interventions into the aging. For this, Dr. Ukraintseva and her team use data from several large human studies containing rich genetic and phenotypic information (including longitudinal measurements) on thousands of individuals. Dr. Ukraintseva is a PI and Key Investigator on several NIH funded grants, and has more than 130 peer-reviewed publications, including in major journals such as Nature Reviews, Stroke, European Journal of Human Genetics, and some other.

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Research Professor in the Social Science Research Institute · 2023 - Present Social Science Research Institute, University Institutes and Centers
Member of the Duke Cancer Institute · 2012 - Present Duke Cancer Institute, Institutes and Centers

Recent Publications


Basic Science and Pathogenesis.

Journal Article Alzheimer's & dementia : the journal of the Alzheimer's Association · December 2025 BackgroundAPOE4 is the strongest genetic risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer's disease (AD), with a higher effect in females than in males. Identifying factors that may reduce the detrimental impact of APOE4 on AD is an important research objecti ... Full text Cite

Developing Topics.

Journal Article Alzheimer's & dementia : the journal of the Alzheimer's Association · December 2025 BackgroundAccumulating evidence points to a major role of compromised immunity in Alzheimer's Disease (AD). The MIR146a and COMT genes are both known for their involvement in immune responses, as well as in AD-related traits. COMT also regulates t ... Full text Cite

Developing Topics.

Journal Article Alzheimer's & dementia : the journal of the Alzheimer's Association · December 2025 BackgroundInfections and neuroinflammation are increasingly recognized as key contributors to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Emerging evidence suggests that the immune-regulating genes GDF15 and MIR146A are promising targets for dev ... Full text Cite
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Recent Grants


Duke/UNC ADAR Program

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2024 - 2029

Dissecting genetic and non-genetic heterogeneity in predisposition to Alzheimer's disease and vascular traits in pleiotropic context

ResearchCo-Principal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2020 - 2026

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Education, Training & Certifications


Russian Academy of Medical Science (Russia) · 1998 Ph.D.