Labs of Eric Porges, Ph.D., and John Williamson, Ph.D.
Department/Center: Clinical and Health Psychology and the Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory Clinical Translational Research
Hometown: Fort Lauderdale
Doctorate from: University of Florida
Research focus: Metabolism, metabolic syndrome, and insulin resistance as risk factors and possible targets in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Eating behavior changes as a potential early sign of pathological cognitive decline.
What drives me: As a clinical neuropsychologist in training, learning about brain-behavior relationships is continuously fascinating to me. Working with patients has driven me towards pursuing research on increasing not just the lifespan but the “healthspan” and mitigating the risk of cognitive impairment.
Something few people know about me: My first job out of college was as a political economic section intern at the U.S. Department of State in Sofia, Bulgaria.
My favorite food: I am a big fan of sushi.
In my free time: I enjoy listening to audiobooks, cooking, and hiking.
“My drive is looking at metabolic risk factors: How can we change nutrition, aspects of obesity, and Type 2 diabetes in a way that it will impact dementia progression down the line?”
McKnight Brain Institute
Gator NeuroScholars Highlight Series
This post was published as part of a larger article on Gator NeuroScholars, a postdoctoral fellowship program. At UF’s McKnight Brain Institute, postdocs come from across the globe, attracted by access to renowned neuroscientists and pioneers in their fields who serve as mentors and by a wide array of leading scientific programs ranging from cognitive aging and brain tumors to Alzheimer’s disease and respiratory physiology.
