University of Rochester · NeuroscienceSchifitto Neuroscience Lab
Giovanni Schifitto · Rochester, New York
Research Focus
Dr. Giovanni Schifitto's lab focuses on understanding how conditions like HIV and SARS-CoV-2 affect the brain, particularly how they influence small blood vessels and cognitive health. The research explores the role of immune cells and specific proteins in causing or exacerbating cognitive decline and vascular diseases. By studying these mechanisms, the lab aims to identify potential interventions to protect brain health in affected populations.
HIVSARS-CoV-2cognitive declinecerebral small vessel diseaseinflammationmonocyte biologyblood-brain barrierneurovascular functionmemory impairment
Research Aims
3AIM 01Determine the role of monocyte-derived Dll4 in brain microcirculation and integrity.
AIM 02Assess the effects of HIV status and inflammatory markers on cognitive performance.
AIM 03Investigate the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on cerebral small vessel disease and cognitive outcomes.
Skills the Lab Values
cell culturemouse modelsimmunohistochemistrymagnetic resonance imaging (MRI)molecular assaysflow cytometrylongitudinal studiesdata analysisbioinformaticsstatistical modeling
Output against the department
Publications209top 35% of dept.235th of 671
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations11ktop 36% of dept.241st of 671
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.