By Michelle Jaffee
The University of Florida’s Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory Clinical Translational Research (CAM Center) has a new interdisciplinary leadership team working to advance interventions to maintain cognitive function during the aging process and improve quality of life for seniors.
Under Director Sara Burke, Ph.D., who previously served as the center’s co-director since March 2023, the world-class center now is co-led by Eric Porges, Ph.D., associate director for collaborative resources; Natalie Ebner, Ph.D., associate director for faculty engagement and the Luttge Lecture series; and Aprinda I. Queen, Ph.D., assistant director for computing and informatics.
“I am delighted to have Drs. Porges, Ebner and Queen join the CAM Center leadership team,” said Burke, a UF professor of neuroscience. “Each of them embodies research excellence and the collaborative spirit that are cornerstones of our vibrant community of cognitive aging investigators. Together we are excited to serve CAM Center stakeholders engaged in rigorously working to improve the wellbeing of older adults and alleviate age-related memory loss.”
Supported by the McKnight Brain Research Foundation (MBRF), the CAM Center focuses on alleviating cognitive changes due to the normal aging process that affects 87% of the population and differs from dementia and other diseases affecting the brain. The center builds collaborations among investigators in physiology, neurobiology, neuroplasticity, pharmacology, and cellular and behavioral neuroscience.
“We are very familiar with the excellent work of each of these dedicated investigators,” said Michael L. Dockery, M.D., chair of the McKnight Brain Research Foundation. “We appreciate their continued contributions to help guide the CAM Center in our efforts to better understand the process of age-related cognitive decline and memory loss, in addition to optimizing maintenance of brain health.”