Silvia Helena Barcellos · Social Science
Dr. Silvia Helena Barcellos' lab at the University of Southern California focuses on understanding the effects of education on cognitive functioning and dementia risk. The research explores how both the quantity and quality of education can influence the likelihood of developing Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) later in life. By examining genetic factors and historical education metrics, they aim to provide insights for designing effective public health policies to reduce cognitive decline and ADRD disparities as populations age.
Titus Johannes Galama · Social Science
Dr. Titus Johannes Galama's lab focuses on understanding cognitive functioning and dementia by leveraging genetic data and social science methodologies. Through the Understanding America Study, the lab aims to identify risk factors for Alzheimer's Disease and related dementias, using polygenic scores to assess how genetics influences cognitive decline. Their work seeks to connect genetic predispositions with behavioral and environmental influences to improve dementia prevention strategies.
Arie Kapteyn · Social Science
Dr. Arie Kapteyn's lab focuses on understanding health disparities across the lifespan, especially in relation to Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD). By utilizing a comprehensive data infrastructure and incorporating a variety of data sources, including wearables and survey data, the lab aims to identify risk factors and develop interventions to mitigate the impact of ADRD. The research emphasizes a multi-dimensional approach to gather insights into cognitive health changes and enhance precision health models.
Brian K. Finch · Social Science
Dr. Brian K. Finch's lab at the University of Southern California focuses on understanding how education influences cognitive health, particularly in relation to Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. The research investigates the impact of social factors like gender and country of origin on access to education, which in turn affects cognitive outcomes throughout a person's life. By analyzing data from a diverse set of longitudinal studies, the lab aims to uncover the complex relationships between education, genetics, and dementia risk.
Patrick Ansel Turley · Social Science
Dr. Patrick Ansel Turley's lab focuses on improving genetic research related to aging by developing tools that can analyze data from diverse populations. This includes studying behavioral and social traits as they relate to genetics, which can lead to a better understanding of aging across different cultures and ancestries. The lab's work aims to reduce biases in genetic research and promote inclusivity, ensuring that findings benefit a wider range of populations.
Tadeja Gracner · Social Science
Dr. Tadeja Gracner's lab at the University of Southern California researches how different educational experiences influence cognitive health in older adults. They particularly focus on the impacts of educational quality and content from certain historical periods, like the 1950s-60s, and how these relate to conditions such as Alzheimer's disease. Through detailed analysis of past educational data, the lab aims to uncover significant effects that education can have on cognitive decline, considering factors like race and socioeconomic status.
Peter Kuhn · Social Science
Professor Peter Kuhn's lab focuses on developing advanced liquid biopsy technologies to improve early cancer detection. The research aims to refine and validate tests that can detect cancers like breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, and multiple myeloma through blood samples rather than invasive procedures. By analyzing markers in the bloodstream, the lab seeks to create more effective screening tools that integrate various molecular techniques and collaborations with clinical partners.
Jinkook Lee · Social Science
Dr. Jinkook Lee's lab at the University of Southern California focuses on understanding cognitive aging and dementia, especially within the context of India. The lab conducts large-scale studies to collect data on older adults, exploring how factors like bilingualism can impact resilience against Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. By analyzing cognitive performance alongside various biological and environmental factors, they aim to provide crucial insights into the risk and protective factors associated with cognitive decline in aging populations.
Italo Lopez Garcia · Social Science
Italo Lopez Garcia's lab focuses on improving early childhood development (ECD) programs in low- and middle-income countries, particularly using mobile health (mHealth) innovations. Their research is aimed at finding cost-effective solutions to enhance children's cognitive, language, and emotional development while providing necessary support to parents. By exploring different intervention delivery models, including in-person and remote approaches, the lab aims to establish scalable methods that effectively sustain benefits for children over time.
Soeren Mattke · Social Science
Dr. Soeren Mattke's research focuses on improving access to memory care for elderly individuals who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid. His work investigates the barriers these individuals face, such as socioeconomic factors, geographic location, and administrative challenges in navigating healthcare systems. By understanding these disparities, the lab aims to provide evidence-based insights that can drive policy changes to enhance healthcare accessibility for disadvantaged populations managing Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.
Ashlesha Datar · Social Science
Dr. Ashlesha Datar's research lab focuses on understanding how changes in environment, particularly in public housing settings, can impact obesity rates among disadvantaged communities. By studying the redevelopment of the Jordan Downs public housing in Los Angeles, the lab aims to uncover how improvements in living conditions affect residents' health behaviors and weight. The research is particularly relevant as it addresses the rising obesity epidemic in low-income populations through natural experiments and community partnerships.
Zachary Wagner · Social Science
Zachary Wagner's lab at the University of Southern California focuses on understanding how natural disasters like floods and hurricanes affect child health, particularly in low and middle-income countries. The lab's goal is to estimate both direct and indirect impacts of these disasters on children, including effects on food security and access to clean water. By analyzing data from various regions, the research aims to inform strategies that can help mitigate the health consequences of these devastating events.