THE TEAM
Jennifer S. Yokoyama, PhD
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Jennifer is a geneticist and neuroscientist who is interested in understanding how variation across the genome contributes to changes in structure and function as the brain ages. She received her PhD (2010) with Dr. Steven Hamilton in the Department of Psychiatry and Institute for Human Genetics at UCSF. For her dissertation, Jennifer conducted genome-wide association studies of canine noise phobia and adult-onset deafness. During postdoctoral training at the UCSF Memory and Aging Center (2011-2014), Jennifer conducted neuroimaging and genetics studies of healthy cognitive aging and C9ORF72 frontotemporal dementia. She is now developing an independent research program, New Innovations: NeuroGenetics In Aging (NINGIA). In her free time, Jennifer enjoys eating good food and spending time with her family.
Luke is a research coordinator at the Memory and Aging Center and conducts imaging and genetics research with Team NINGIA. Luke enjoys learning statistics and is increasing his genetics knowledge by developing novel strategies for estimating risk of neurodegenerative disease. Luke likes to spend his free time outdoors, skiing, hiking and climbing mountains. He also likes Texas-style barbeque, especially smoked brisket!
Ethan is a postdoctoral scholar at the Memory and Aging Center interested in understanding how genetic variation contributes to the development of neurodegenerative disease. He graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with a bachelor’s degree in molecular and cell biology and earned a PhD in 2013 from the Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences at the University of California, San Francisco in the laboratory of Dr. Kathleen M. Giacomini. His dissertation work focused on characterizing how membrane transporter proteins influence drug penetration across the blood-brain barrier. After graduate school, Ethan co-founded Apricity Therapeutics with Dr. Giacomini to create safer, more effective therapies for pediatric diseases using technology he helped develop during his dissertation work. Ethan loves travelling and BBQing with family and friends in his free time.
Jia is a general neurologist in China and a visiting scholar at the Memory and Aging Center who is learning how to perform neuroimaging research by studying differences between cognitive and neuroanatomical measures of Alzheimer's disease between Chinese and White Americans. She got her doctoral degrees in 2005 in Jilin University and completed her internship and residency in the First Hospital of Jilin University. Now Jia is an Associate Professor in the Neurology Department of Second Hospital of Jilin University. In her free time she likes hiking and traveling and enjoying life with her family.
Josiah is a Memory and Aging Center alumni and 3rd year PhD student researcher in Dr. Brian Knutson's SPAN lab at Stanford University. He will be joining Team NINGIA part-time for the 2015-2016 year to learn about genomic effects on white matter tract integrity in frontotemporal dementia. His favorite food is shin ramen (and not just because he's a poor grad student -- his words!).
Jeff is a recent graduate in molecular biology from Cal Poly SLO. Jeff is learning about clinical research by enhancing his skills in imaging and genetics as they relate to healthy brain aging and neurodegenerative disease. Riding bikes makes Jeff happy, and he likes to eat ice cream with a fork.
ALUMNI
Ariana is a recent graduate from UC Berkeley with a major in cognitive science. She has utilized online resources to study changes in gene expression during neurodevelopment and aging. For her honors thesis, Ariana investigated the effects of genetic variation on cognitive function. Ariana enjoys chocolate chip cookies and playing tennis. She did the SF half marathon and is secretly becoming addicted to running.
Lawrence is a senior at UC Berkeley majoring in Bioengineering, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. He is interested in neuroscience and brain imaging as well as how imaging may help us understand the genetic factors that affect behavior and cognition during aging. Lawrence enjoys cooking and photography (that kind of explains why he loves imaging). His favorite food and drink items are korean barbecue and lychee mango smoothies.
Lynn is a recent UC Berkeley alumni who majored in Molecular and Cell Biology with an emphasis in Neurobiology. She helped us use neuroimaging to study neurodegenerative disease and has now moved on to a graduate program. Lynn often craves Earl Grey flavored ice cream and pecan pie. She spends her free time biking and reading manga; her favorite manga are One Piece, Beelzebub, and Kekkaishi (Barrier Master).
Jeff graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in integrative biology in 2015. He enjoys learning about different approaches in neurological research and has transitioned into a full-time position as a Care Team navigator for the MAC's Care EcoSystem. Jeff's biggest passion is traveling around the world and trying exotic food. His favorite foods, though, are seafood platters and Thai noodles.
Honorary Lab Members
Leonel is a neurologist and just obtained his PhD from the University of Sao Paolo. While at the Memory and Aging Center from 2011-2012 he conducted genetic studies of C9ORF72 frontotemporal dementia with Jennifer. We hope Leonel will come back to Team NINGIA once he's done with his graduate work! This will likely involve lots of fancy coffee and weekly catering.
Linda obtained her PhD at the University of Hong Kong in 2015. While at the Memory and Aging Center (2013-2014) she studied cross-cultural neuroanatomical differences in healthy older Chinese versus Caucasian individuals via neuroimaging. Linda is a major foodie and enjoys embarking on culinary adventures in her free time.
Allen was a clinical research coordinator at the Memory and Aging Center and assisted in studies of Alzheimer's disease and healthy aging in Chinese Americans. He is now pursuing post-bac studies at Drexel University. Allen enjoys playing sports and eating extremely slowly.