Five scientists receive funds for independently designed research studies

The Center for BrainHealth, part of The University of Texas at Dallas, recently hosted the annual Friends of BrainHealth Scientist Selection Luncheon at the Dallas Country Club, where the following five scientists were awarded funds for their independently designed research studies:

Dinesh Sivakolundu, MD received the Jennifer and Peter Roberts Distinguished New Scientist Award for his research study, Identifying Brain-Vessel Health Biomarkers and Targeted Treatments to Improve Brain Performance in Healthy Aging and Dementia Disorders.

Kathryn West, PhD received the Linda and Joel Robuck Distinguished New Scientist Award for her research study, Validating Early Biomarkers of Slowing in Multiple Sclerosis.

Irene Zhao, MS received the Lyda Hill Philanthropies Distinguished New Scientist Award for her research study, Take Action Early: Training to Improve Cognition and Brain Signatures of Middle-Aged Working Adults.

Matthew Kmiecik, BS and Michael Lundie, MA received the Friends of BrainHealth Distinguished New Scientist Award for their research study, Structural and Functional Neural Correlates of Reasoning in Traumatic Brain Injury.

Funding these young researchers allows them the incredible opportunity of leading their own pilot study and doing meaningful work to advance our understanding of brain health and performance. Thank you to the Friends of BrainHealth for providing significant support during a critical time in their early careers."

Dr. Sandra Bond Chapman, founder and chief director, Center for BrainHealth

Eleven graduate students, doctoral candidates and postdoctoral fellows at the Center for BrainHealth competed for the awards. Other finalists included:

Mark Zuppichini, MA, a doctoral student in Dr. Bart Rypma's lab, whose project would investigate yoga as an effective form of symptom management in those diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, specifically to improve depressive mood and memory impairment.

Shelly Gordon, MS and Aaron Tate, MA, whose multi-disciplinary project would determine if incorporating advanced face-tracking technology will improve participants' ability to recognize nonverbal social cues by creating a series of emotion recognition tasks using face-tracking technology.