Faculty Expertise

University of Michigan
Anne B. Young Collegiate Professor, Department of Neurology
Michigan ADRC, Research Education Component Lead
[email protected]

Scientific expertise

Movement Disorders; Neurodegeneration Clinical Research

Methods or instrumentation

PET Imaging 

Training

Participant Characterization 

Grant application reviews

Neurodegeneration research

University of Michigan
Assistant Professor, Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health
Michigan ADRC, Data and Statistical Core Lead
[email protected]
https://sites.google.com/umich.edu/bakulskiresearch/home

Scientific expertise

Environmental chemical and genetic risk factors for neurological disorders using epidemiology and toxicology methods.

Core resources

Contact information for study recruitment, data for secondary analyses, database design/automation, statistical consultation for grant/manuscript, collaboration for analyses for grant/manuscript

Methods or instrumentation 

Data preprocessing and analysis for genetics, RNA expression, epigenetics, and exposomics

Training

I teach three regular classes in programming in R statistical software, epigenomics data QC and analyses, and pathophysiology

Grant application reviews

Epidemiology, toxicology, genetics, environmental exposures

University of Michigan
Angela Dobson Welch and Lyndon Welch Research Professor of Neurology
Director, Michigan Brain Bank
Michigan ADRC, Leaders Initiative, Neuropathology Core
[email protected]
www.barmadalab.com

Scientific expertise

We focus on disease mechanisms and therapeutic strategies in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia. Our objective is to use these models to test and identify effective new therapeutics; and define the pathways culminating in neurodegeneration in these disorders.

Animal models

Primary neurons isolated from rodents (rattus norvegicus, mus musculus) or human stem cell-derived neurons from individuals with sporadic and familial disease Lab resources: We are happy to help with imaging needs and disease modeling.

Other resources

Longitudinal microscopy, super-resolution microscopy

Methods or instrumentation

High content microscopy, super-resolution microscopy, longitudinal microscopy, directed differentiation of stem cells into neuronal subtypes

Training

Fluorescence microscopy, super-resolution microscopy, human neuron differentiation from stem cells

Grant application reviews

Basic science of FTD/ALS, protein and RNA homeostasis, disease modeling

Michigan State University
Assistant Professor, Department of Neurology and Ophthalmology
Michigan ADRC, Leaders Initiative, Neuroimaging Core
[email protected]

Scientific expertise

My expertise is in structural and diffusion MRI in the contexts of cognitive aging, lifespan development, and neurodegenerative disease. In addition to a host of methods for MRI processing, my work uses a variety of approaches for statistical analysis including structural equation modeling, mixed effects models, partial least squares, and path analysis.

Methods or instrumentation

MRI processing methods (e.g., ANTs, ASHS, FSL, Freesurfer, MRtrix, SPM); high dimensional analysis methods (e.g., clustering, mixed effects models); manual and automated brain segmentation methods; advanced diffusion MRI processing (e.g., MRtrix, NODDI, DKI)

Training

My lab has training resources for basic image processing, and we can offer consultation on image segmentation and diffusion MRI methods.

Grant application reviews

Approach and significance of MRI methods, particularly for structural and diffusion MRI

Michigan State University
Research Assistant Professor, Department of Translation Science and Molecular Medicine
Michigan ADRC, Leaders Initiative, Biomarker Core
[email protected]

Scientific expertise

I study the role of tau protein in neurodegenerative disease using protein biochemistry, cultured cells, and animal models. Specifically, I look at the role of tau protein in dysregulation of axonal transport as a potential mechanism of tau's toxicity in disease.

Animal models

TauKO: a mouse line with the MAPT gene knocked out. hTau: a mouse line with human MAPT gene replacing mouse tau.

Methods or instrumentation

Primary neuron culture, confocal microscopy, electron microscopy

Grant application reviews

Tau protein, axonal transport

Michigan State University
Associate Professor of Translational Neuroscience
[email protected]
https://translationalscience.msu.edu/people/scott-counts.html

Scientific expertise

Cellular and molecular mechanisms of AD and VCID

Animal models

3 rat models: Tg344-19 AD (F344 rats carrying APPswe and PS1d9); Spontaneously hypertensive stroke-prone rats (SHRSPs, Wistar-Kyoto rats with naturally occurring vascular abnormalities); "Frankenrats" (Tg344-19 AD rats backcrossed onto SHRSPs as a model for VCID)

Methods or instrumentation

Laser capture microdissection (LCM)

Training

LCM; single neuron gene expression analysis; rat behavioral training; stereotactic surgery; all standard molecular, cell biological, histological, and biochemical assays

Grant application reviews

Anything dementia-related but specifically, anything that would be handled by CNN study section

Wayne State University
Associate Professor, Institute of Gerontology, Department of Psychology
Michigan ADRC, Leaders Initiative, Neuroimaging Core
[email protected]
connectlab.wayne.edu

Scientific expertise

Age and disease-related changes in cognition and brain structure and function. Early detection of atypical brain changes and identifying risk groups. Possible interventions to delay cognitive decline.

Methods or instrumentation

Functional and structural MRI; brain network connectivity

Training

General MRI data analyses; specific functional connectivity analyses

Grant application reviews

Cognitive and brain changes in aging and neurodegenerative disease; specifically, neuroimaging applications

Wayne State University
Assistant Professor, Institute of Gerontology, Department of Psychology, 
and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences
Michigan ADRC, Leaders Initiative, Data Management and Statistical Core
[email protected]  | healthyaging.wayne.edu

Scientific expertise

Vascular and metabolic health factors that modify human brain aging and dementia risk. I use multimodal neuroimaging and blood biomarkers, actigraphy, neuropsychological assessment and health history to study longitudinal aging in community samples. Emphasis on pathways for hypertension-related risk for Alzheimer's disease and related dementia.

Methods or instrumentation

Multimodal MRI (structural T1, high-res hippocampal subfields, susceptibility weighted imaging, T2 FLAIR); actigraphy; (non-clinical) cognitive assessment

Training

Advanced statistics (multivariate methods, structural equation modeling, mixed models, reliability); MRI methods

University of Michigan
Edith Briskin Emerging Scholar
Postdoctoral Fellow, NeuroNetwork for Emerging Therapies
[email protected]
https://medicine.umich.edu/dept/mneuronet

Scientific expertise

Immuno-metabolic interactions in the CNS Animal models: C57BL6 high-fat diet-induced obesity and prediabetes

Methods or instrumentation

IHC (floating sections and confocal microscopy), Western blotting, Cognitive testing in mice

Training

IHC (floating sections and confocal microscopy), Western blotting, Cognitive testing in mice

Grant application reviews

Basic review of scientific content and minor editing of language/structure

University of Michigan
Assistant Professor, Neuropathology in the Department of Pathology
Michigan ADRC, Leaders Initiative, Neuropathology Core

Scientific expertise

Clinical neuropathology (surgical, muscle/nerve, dementia brain autopsy diagnosis), PhD in biochemistry/glycoprotein folding, experience in mouse work

Methods or instrumentation

Whole slide scanning, immunohistochemistry through the U-M pathology department

Training

Neuropathology, mouse necropsy

Grant application reviews

Neuropathology, mouse work

University of Michigan
Professor of Psychology, Departments of Psychiatry, Neurology, Psychology
Chief Psychologist, Department of Psychiatry
Senior Director, Mary A. Rackham Institute
Michigan ADRC, Associate Director
[email protected]

Scientific expertise

The earliest appearance of cognitive and motor features in healthy aging and dementia. Nonpharmacological to cognitive loss in aging and medical illness.

Other resources

Driving simulators

Methods or instrumentation

Computer-based assessment, EEG methodologies

Training

Computer-based assessment and remediation of cognitive, motor, and behavioral features in medical illness and dementia

Grant application reviews

See previous

Michigan State University
Professor of Translational Neuroscience
[email protected]
https://translationalscience.msu.edu/research-groups/gordon-lab.html

Scientific expertise

I am especially interested in the role of innate immunity in aging and neurodegenerative disease. Increasingly, my research focuses on developing novel therapeutics to modulate innate immunity, including small molecule agents, vaccines, gene therapy and biologics, using transgenic mouse models with Alzheimer-like pathology.

Animal models

APP+PS1 transgenic mice = age-dependent accumulation of amyloid deposits, cognitive deficits and innate immune activation; rTg4510 = transgenic mice overexpressing 4R tau, with age-dependent tau phosphorylation, aggregation and deposition leading to cognitive impairments; PS-19= similar to Tg4510 but less aggressive.

Methods or instrumentation

Bench-top cell sorter, mouse behavior facility, digital slide scanner and computer-assisted image analysis

Grant application reviews

Innate immune activation, mouse models, innate immunity, glial activation

University of Michigan
Stanley Berent, PhD, Collegiate Professor of Psychology
Michigan ADRC, Clinical Core Lead
[email protected] 
https://hampstead.lab.medicine.umich.edu/home

Scientific expertise

I focus on the early detection of, and non-pharmacologic treatment for, cognitive deficits arising from neurologic injury and disease.

Core resources

UM-MAP data set

Methods or instrumentation 

TMS, tES, fNIRS, s/fMRI, neuropsych measures, cognition-oriented treatments

Training

TMS, tES, fNIRS, s/fMRI, neuropsych measures, cognition-oriented treatments

Grant application reviews

Areas related to neuromodulation, neuroimaging, non-pharmacologic interventions, and diagnosis

University of Michigan
Richard D. and Katherine M. O’Connor Research Professor of Neurology
Michigan ADRC, Clinical Core Co-Lead
[email protected]

Scientific expertise

Clinical research pertinent to the diagnosis/management of dementia, including clinical trials in the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease

Methods or instrumentation

Clinical trial methodology 

Training

Clinical trial methodology

Grant application reviews

Clinical trials in dementia prevention/treatment

University of Michigan
Research Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Functional MRI Laboratory
Co-Director, Animal MRI Facility
[email protected] http://fmri.research.umich.edu/about/faculty/hernandez.php

Scientific expertise

MRI, brain blood flow, non-invasive neuromodulation

Methods or instrumentation

MRI

Training

MRI, signal processing, mathematical modeling

Grant application reviews

MRI, signal processing, mathematical modeling

Michigan State University
College of Human Medicine, Director of Research Initiatives
Michigan Dementia Coalition
Michigan ADRC, Outreach, Recruitment and Engagement Core Investigator
[email protected]

Scientific expertise

Health Services Research and Implementation Science, Chronic Disease Self-Management Program Implementation and Evaluation

Training

Translational research phases T3 and T4

Grant application reviews

Translational research phases T3 and T4

Michigan State University
Associate Professor of Translational Neuroscience
Michigan ADRC, Biomarker Core Co-Lead
[email protected]
https://translationalscience.msu.edu/research-groups/kanaan-lab.html

Scientific expertise

Molecular mechanisms of disease with a focus on Alzheimer's disease and other tauopathies, as well as tau protein biology and pathobiology

Animal models

Wild-type C57 mice; PS19 transgenic mice: mice harboring P301S mutant tau; Human tau knockin mice (Saido model): endogenous mouse tau gene was replaced with human tau gene and mice express all 6 human tau isoforms; Tau knockout mice: endogenous mouse tau gene was removed

Core resources

Blood (or other biological fluid) biomarker assessments via SIMOA immunoassays and/or mass spectrometry

Methods or instrumentation

Microscopy (TEM, confocal), Recombinant protein, monoclonal antibody production, biomarkers (SIMOA immunoassays), histology, biochemical assays, molecular biology assays, cell culture (including primary neurons), rodent models of tauopathy

Training

Any of the previous 

Grant application reviews

Grants on AD, tauopathy, tau, aging, PD

University of Michigan
Professor of Radiology
[email protected]

Scientific expertise

Research interests center around the quantitative aspects of positron emission tomography (PET). Specific research areas include the development and implementation of tracer kinetic models for new and existing positron-labeled radiotracers. Has extensive experience in multi-center trials involving PET imaging of amyloid and tau.

Methods or instrumentation

PET Scanning

Wayne State University
Assistant Professor, Institute of Gerontology and Department of Psychology
Michigan ADRC, Leaders Initiative, Clinical Core
[email protected]

Scientific expertise

Family caregiving for individuals living with dementia

Methods or instrumentation

Mixed-methods, qualitative and quantitative data analysis

Grant application reviews

Social and behavioral science applications surrounding dementia

Wayne State University
Distinguished University Service Professor of Psychology
Director of the Institute of Gerontology and Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute
Michigan ADRC, REC Co-Lead
[email protected]
https://iog.wayne.edu/profile/aa2275

Scientific expertise

Clinical geropsychology and geriatric neuropsychology; Financial decision making and neurocognitive decline; the intersection of declining cognition, financial management and financial exploitation.

Core resources

REC provides several opportunities including developmental funds

Methods or instrumentation

Interviews, cognitive assessment

Training

Community-engaged research, financial capacity measurement; Engaging with African American communities to enhance research participation

Grant application reviews

Behavioral science grants--both basic and intervention; Community-based work in behavioral sciences

University of Michigan
Gerald Abrams Collegiate Professor of Pathology
Michigan ADRC, Neuropathology Core Lead

[email protected]
https://www.pathology.med.umich.edu/andrew-p-lieberman-lab

Scientific expertise

Neuropathology, cellular and mouse models of neurodegeneration, polyglutamine and lysosomal disorders

Animal models

AR113Q; Npc1 -/-; Npc1 flox; human NPC1 I1061T

Methods or instrumentation

Molecular biology, biochemistry, histology

Training

Analysis of neuropathology

Grant application reviews

Mechanisms of neurodegeneration

Michigan State University
Professor, Department of Translational Neuroscience
Michigan ADRC, Biomarker Core Co-Lead
[email protected]

Scientific expertise

Neurochemistry of memory. Mouse models of amyloidosis and tauopathy. Immunotherapy and gene therapy. CSF and Blood fluid biomarkers in AD

Animal models

APP+PS1 model of amyloidosis. PS19 model of tauopathy. Aged C57 mice.

Core resources

Access to SIMOA assays

Methods or instrumentation

Digital scanning microscopy, SIMOA protein measurement at fg/ml levels

Training

Quantitative microscopy 

Grant application reviews

Animal models, drug development, fluid biomarkers

University of Michigan
Ann and Robert H. Lurie Professor of Biomedical Engineering
Professor, Department of Radiology
Co-Director, fMRI Center
Michigan ADRC, Neuroimaging Core Lead
[email protected]
https://nollresearch.engin.umich.edu/

Scientific expertise

Research is focused on the data acquisition and processing for imaging brain function using magnetic resonance imaging (functional MRI or fMRI). Projects include the development of image acquisition and reconstruction techniques, post-processing and analysis methods, methods for elimination of movement and other artifacts, and the development of neuroimaging biomarkers for disease.

Core resources

Access to neuroimaging data for MADRC cohorts, consulting on the design of imaging components and imaging biomarkers, consulting on image analysis

Methods or instrumentation

3T MRI, Functional and Anatomical MRI

Training

MRI Physics, MRI protocols, fMRI experimental design

Grant application reviews

Imaging components

University of Michigan
Lucile Groff Professor of Neurology for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias
Interim Co-Director, Michigan Neuroscience Institute
Michigan ADRC, Director and Principal Investigator
[email protected]

Scientific expertise

Mechanisms of age-related neurodegenerative diseases Animal models: multiple polyglutamien mouses models, esp. SCa3; P301S Tau tg ; A53T synuclein tg; WT-UBQLN2 and P506T-UBQLN2 tgtg

Methods or instrumentation

Basic molecular and cell biological methods

Training

Basic molecular and cell biological methods

Grant application reviews

Mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases

University of Michigan
Technical Director and Research Scientist Functional MRI Laboratory
[email protected]
fmri.research.umich.edu

Scientific expertise

MRI acquisition and data analysis

Core resources

The lab offers pilot grants for investigators to allow the collection of preliminary data

Methods or instrumentation

Human MRI scanners (3T)

Training

Our lab runs a yearly FMRI course

Grant application reviews

Imaging applications

University of Michigan
Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry
Michigan ADRC, Leaders Initiative, Outreach, Recruitment and Engagement Core
[email protected]

Scientific expertise

Family relationships and caregiving, chronic illness management, and complex care needs including dementia and multimorbidity

Methods or instrumentation

Daily diary and ecological momentary assessment, salivary biomarkers, dyadic
data

Grant application reviews

Caregiving, chronic illness management, dyadic data

University of Michigan
Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry
Michigan ADRC, Leaders Initiative, Clinical Core
[email protected]

Program website

https://hampstead.lab.medicine.umich.edu/home

Scientific expertise

Neuropsychology, cognitive aging, biomarker disclosure

Methods or instrumentation

Neuropsychological testing, PET imaging, feedback, biomarker disclosure, mixed methods

Training

Cognitive testing, test development and validation, psychometrics

Grant application reviews

Neuropsychology, cognitive aging, caregiving, TBI, Alzheimer's disease and related dementias

University of Michigan
Professor, Health Behavior and Health Education
Michigan ADRC, Outreach, Recruitment and Engagement Core Lead
[email protected]
https://robertsresearch.org/

Scientific expertise

Health communication; bioethics; dementia education; health psychology, especially as applied to genetic testing

Core resources

We can help assist studies actively trying to recruit participants; we can offer speaking opportunities/feature articles on our website/newsletter to promote the visibility of their work

Methods or instrumentation

Social and behavioral health surveys

Training

Social/behavioral interventions/surveys; RCR / ELSI

Grant application reviews

Grants addressing psychosocial issues posed by Alzheimer's disease

University of Michigan
Assistant Professor, Department of Systems, Populations and Leadership, School of Nursing
Michigan ADRC, Leaders Initiative, Outreach Recruitment and Engagement Core
[email protected]
https://nursing.umich.edu/faculty-staff/faculty/sheria-g-robinson-lane

Scientific expertise

My work examines the personal, familial, and structural adaptations necessary for diverse older adults to age in place with cognitive and/ or physical disabilities. This work is evaluated through a health equity lens.

Methods or instrumentation

Content analysis, ethnography, mixed-methods study design

Grant application reviews

Pain and symptom management, informal caregiving, long-term care services, community-based participatory research, anti-racism

University of Michigan
Associate Professor of Neurology
[email protected]

Scientific expertise

MRI measures of neurodegeneration and disease progression.

Methods or instrumentation

MRI, morphometrics, fMRI, MRS and diffusion MR

Training

Post-processing of MR data

Grant application reviews

Imaging research

University of Michigan
Albert M. Mattocks Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Chemical Engineering
[email protected]
https://tessier.lab.medicine.umich.edu/

Scientific expertise

My lab focuses on therapeutic antibody discovery, engineering, and optimization of affinity and specificity. We also work on the delivery of antibodies to the brain using bispecific antibodies.

Animal models

Wild type and PS19 (tau) mice

Methods or instrumentation

Mammalian protein production (suspension HEK 293 and CHO), immunization and in vitro antibody library generation, single B-cell sorting for antibody generation, flow cytometry and FACS

Training

Mammalian antibody production, antibody discovery and engineering

Grant application reviews

Therapeutic antibodies

Michigan State University
Associate Professor, Department of Translational Neuroscience
Michigan Center for Contextual Factors in Alzheimer’s Disease, Recruitment Core Co-Lead
Michigan ADRC, REC Co-Lead
[email protected]
https://translationalscience.msu.edu/research-groups/vega-lab.html

Scientific expertise

Proteome changes associated with the accumulation of pathological tau. Identification of biomarkers in tissue and biofluids. Health disparities associated with ADRD.

Animal models

JNPL3 - expresses htauP301L under the prion promoter (SW background as developed at Mayo Clinic JAX by Mike Hutton and Jada Lewis).

Other resources

At the Integrated Mass Spectrometry Unit, we provide proteomics services.
https://translationalscience.msu.edu/resources/proteomics.html

Methods or instrumentation

Mass spectrometry-based proteomics for the identification and quantification of proteins and PTMs

Training

Proteomics

Grant application reviews

Projects related to tauopathies that involve molecular and biochemical approaches. Also, projects that propose interventions related to ADRD in underserved and underrepresented groups