Research Interests
Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) is considered an infantile tauopathy due to mutations in TSC1 and TSC2. These mutations leads to hyperactivation of a centralized intracellular pathway called mammalian Target of Rapamycin (mTOR). Our publication in 2022 described how TSC patients are accumulation an isotype of phosphorylated tau more commonly seen in Alzheimer's Disease. Further investigating TSC has the potential to lead to a pathophysiological mechanism of phosphorylated tau and novel treatments for both TSC and Alzheimer's Disease patients.
Dr. Cathrine Hoyo and I are investigating the relationship between prenatal stress and epigenetic changes. This relationship may explain why underrepresented minorities develop Alzheimer's Disease dementia at least twice as often when compared to European Americans.
Lastly, I have a strong interest in discovering novel fluid biomarkers for various neurodegenerative diseases. There are several ongoing studies supported by the Duke-UNC ADRC and industry sponsors to establish CSF and plasma biomarkers in Alzheimer's Disease.
Dr. Cathrine Hoyo and I are investigating the relationship between prenatal stress and epigenetic changes. This relationship may explain why underrepresented minorities develop Alzheimer's Disease dementia at least twice as often when compared to European Americans.
Lastly, I have a strong interest in discovering novel fluid biomarkers for various neurodegenerative diseases. There are several ongoing studies supported by the Duke-UNC ADRC and industry sponsors to establish CSF and plasma biomarkers in Alzheimer's Disease.
Selected Grants
Automated High-purity Exosome isolation-based AD diagnostics system (AHEADx)
ResearchCo-Principal Investigator · Awarded by National Institute on Aging · 2023 - 2028A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel-Group Study to Assess the Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability of BIIB080 in Subjects with Mild Cognitive Impairment Due to Alzheimer¿s Disease o
Clinical TrialPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Biogen MA, Inc. · 2023 - 2027Adaptive Neuromodulation of Working Memory Networks in Aging and Dementia
ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by National Institute on Aging · 2022 - 2027Utility of blood biomarkers for predicting ARIA and its course in MCI and AD subjects undergoing routine clinical treatment
ResearchInvestigator · Awarded by Cure Alzheimer's Fund · 2024 - 2026Effect of Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors on Bone Metabolism and Fracture Risk Factors among older adults with mild to moderate Alzheimer's Disease (R21)
ResearchInvestigator · Awarded by National Institute on Aging · 2023 - 2025Automated High-purity Exosome isolation-based AD diagnostics system (AHEADx)
ResearchCo-Principal Investigator · Awarded by National Institute on Aging · 2023 - 2028A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel-Group Study to Assess the Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability of BIIB080 in Subjects with Mild Cognitive Impairment Due to Alzheimer¿s Disease o
Clinical TrialPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Biogen MA, Inc. · 2023 - 2027Adaptive Neuromodulation of Working Memory Networks in Aging and Dementia
ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by National Institute on Aging · 2022 - 2027Utility of blood biomarkers for predicting ARIA and its course in MCI and AD subjects undergoing routine clinical treatment
ResearchInvestigator · Awarded by Cure Alzheimer's Fund · 2024 - 2026Effect of Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors on Bone Metabolism and Fracture Risk Factors among older adults with mild to moderate Alzheimer's Disease (R21)
ResearchInvestigator · Awarded by National Institute on Aging · 2023 - 2025A Diagnostic Test for Dementia with Lewy Bodies
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by CND Life Sciences · 2023 - 2025Mis-folded tau based biomarkers for diagnosing and differentiating AD and ADRD
ResearchCollaborator · Awarded by North Carolina Central University · 2023 - 2024Duke Creating ADRD Researchers for the Next Generation - Stimulating Access to Research in Residency Program (CARiNG-StARR)"
Inst. Training Prgm or CMEPreceptor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2020 - 2024Synuclein-One Study
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by CND Life Sciences · 2020 - 2023Social adversities, epigenetics, and the obesity epidemic
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by North Carolina State University · 2017 - 2022Fellowships, Gifts, and Supported Research
Tuberous Sclerosis Complex as a novel Alzheimer's Disease-related Tauopathy ·
July 2023
- June 2025
PI ·
Awarded by: Ruth K. Broad Biomedical Research Foundation
· $100,000.00
Social adversities, epigeneitcs and the obesity epidemeic ·
2019
- 2022
PI ·
Awarded by: NIH
Neuroinflammation and Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction ·
July 15, 2017
- 2022
Sub-I ·
Awarded by: NIH
External Relationships
- Lucent
This faculty member (or a member of their immediate family) has reported outside activities with the companies, institutions, or organizations listed above. This information is available to institutional leadership and, when appropriate, management plans are in place to address potential conflicts of interest.