Professional Interests
My current research is focused on advancing our understanding on ‘how the human brain works’ by studying the relationship between brain structure and function using multimodal imaging approaches (e.g., MRI, DTI, rsMRI, fMRI) in healthy and degraded brain systems.
HEALTHY AGING AND AGING WITH DISEASE: One research focus is on the combined effects of aging and neuroinflammation in HIV individuals on cognition and motor function in comparison with age-related neurodegenerative processes in Parkinson’s disease. Despite the many challenges, some HIV patients manage to age successfully, most likely by redistribution of neural network resources to enhance function, as occurs in healthy elderly; such compensation could be curtailed by emerging Parkinsonism. In collaboration with Dr Schulte (SRI International), Dr Brontë-Stewart, and Dr Poston (Stanford Neurology), this research aims at understanding the neurodegenerative and neuroadaptive processes that occur with healthy aging and aging with disease.
ALCOHOL ADDICTION: Another research focus is on the effects of chronic alcoholism on brain structure and function. Executive control functions are disturbed in addiction, and interact with attention, emotion, and reward functions. In collaboration with Drs T Schulte and A Pfefferbaum (SRI International), this research focuses on the neurofunctional mechanisms of automatic attentional bias (toward salient events, emotional and alcohol cues) and negative priming, and their role for relapse and the treatment of AUD. Recovered drinkers can remain compromised in their ability to perform routine daily tasks, such as driving or operating machines that rely on integrating information from multiple sensory channels for efficient performance. My research uses multimodal neuroimaging derived connectivity measures to identify structural and functional neurocircuits compromised in AUD, and those that may serve functional recovery after abstinence.
ADOLESCENT BRAIN DEVELOPMENT: A recent research focus is on adolescent brain functional development. The transition from adolescence to adult cognitive maturity and emotional control is marked by dynamic neurodevelopmental plasticity. As part of the National Consortium on Alcohol and Neurodevelopment In Adolescence (NCANDA), a multisite longitudinal study, and in collaboration with Drs. Baker, Pohl, and Pfefferbaum (SRI International), this research aims at understanding the effects of age, sex, and alcohol use during adolescence.
