Role: Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Hometown: Yorktown, Virginia

Education: Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience, Christopher Newport University; Master of Science in Applied Neuroscience, the Ohio State University; Doctor of Philosophy in Neuroscience, the Ohio State University

Research: I completed my Ph.D at (the) Ohio State in the lab of Dr. Kokiko-Cochran where I studied how exogenous immune stressors could exacerbate inflammation after traumatic brain injury and worsen recovery. I primarily focused on how different forms of stress, such as chronic sleep fragmentation, impaired the ability of microglia to appropriately respond to a brain injury. At UT Health SA, my research is focused on investigating the role of different single and combination therapies on Alzheimer's Disease progression. In particular I am interested in how inhibition of phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) can alleviate ADRD-related neuroinflammation and how microglia respond to the disease differently due to treatment. By using a wide variety of lab techniques, I will be able to characterize how combination therapy of amyloid monoclonal antibody treatments and PDE4 inhibition can provide synergistic effects to support the brain in it's fight against Alzheimer's Disease. 

Interests: Outside of lab, I spend a lot of my time exploring the city by running, hiking, and biking. I also enjoy spending time at home playing with my two cats, Blaise and Izzy, and caring for my large collection of houseplants.