Okonkwo Lab News
Gabriella Mamlouk Receives Community Champion Award
Gabriella Mamlouk received the Community Champion Award from the UW Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP)! The University of Wisconsin MSTP Community Champion Award is an annual award given to three outstanding individuals within the UW …
February 16, 2026
Bri Breidenbach and Sarah Lose are Featured Guests on Dementia Matters Podcast Episode
Dr. Bri Breidenbach and Sarah Lose were featured guests on a recent episode of the podcast Dementia Matters: Taking Steps to Slow Decline: New Study Examines the Role of Physical Activity on Alzheimer’s Progression They …
January 16, 2026
Ozioma Okonkwo Selected as an Inaugural Fellow of the International Neuropsychological Society
Ozioma Okonkwo has been selected as one of the inaugural Fellows of the International Neuropsychological Society (FINS)! The FINS designation was established to honor members whose dedication and service have made lasting contributions to INS. …
January 9, 2026
Sarah Lose Receives Department of Medicine Staff Award for Exemplifying/Demonstrating the Department’s Core Values
We are thrilled to share that Sarah has been selected as the recipient of the Department of Medicine (DOM) Staff Award for Exemplifying/Demonstrating the Department’s Core Values. This award recognizes individuals whose actions directly support …
January 7, 2026
Ira Frahmand’s Manuscript Accepted for Publication
Ira Frahmand’s manuscript “Age-related alterations in plasma biomarkers of relevance to Alzheimer’s disease are attenuated in KLOTHO KL-VS heterozygotes” has been accepted for publication in Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease (JAD). Congratulations, Ira!
January 5, 2026
Chinenye Odo Receives Conditional Approval on Research Grant
Former gradaute student Chinenye Odo recently received conditional approval for a competitive research grant at UPMC! Grant title: Thomas H. Nimick, Jr. Competitive Research Fund Funding mechanism: The Competitive Research Fund of UPMC Shadyside Hospital and Shadyside …
December 19, 2025
Alec Czaplicki’s Manuscript Accepted for Publication
Alec Czaplicki’s manuscript “Serum Klotho Levels, Brain Structure, and Cognitive Performance” has been accepted for publication in JAMA Neurology. Congratulations, Alec!
December 18, 2025Ozioma Okonkwo Invited as Keynote Speaker at The International Conference of The Brain and Mind Institute of The Aga Khan University
Dr. Ozioma Okonkwo was invited as a Keynote Speaker at the International Conference of the Brain and Mind Institute of the Aga Khan University held in Karachi, Pakistan, November 3-5, 2025. His presentation was titled …
November 18, 2025Ozioma Okonkwo Invited to Speak at The Defining The Landscape of Late-Onset Unexplained Epilepsy Conference
Dr. Ozioma Okonkwo was invited to speak at the Defining the Landscape of Late-Onset Unexplained Epilepsy Conference held in South Casco, Maine, October 15-17, 2025. His presentation was titled “Lifestyle modification for prevention of dementia.”
November 18, 2025Ozioma Okonwko Invited as Keynote Speaker at The International Conference of the Hellenistic Neuropsychological Society
Dr. Ozioma Okonkwo was invited as a Keynote Speaker at the International Conference of the Hellenistic Neuropsychological Society held in Athens, Greece, October 10-12, 2025. His presentation was titled “Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Resilience to Alzheimer’s …
November 18, 2025
Anna Gaul Accepted into Medical School
Anna Gaul was accepted into the University of Minnesota Twin-Cities MD class of 2030 (starting in August 2026)! Congratulations, Anna – we are so very proud of you!
November 5, 2025Ira Frahmand’s Abstract Accepted for Oral Presentation at AD/PD 2026
Ira Frahmand’s abstract “Proteomic insight into Alzheimer’s disease (AD)-relevant pathways distinguishing KLOTHO KL-VS heterozygotes from non-carriers in a sample at risk for AD” has been accepted for an Onsite Oral Presentation at AD/PD (International Conference on …
October 23, 2025
Bri Breidenbach’s Abstract Accepted for Oral Presentation at AD/PD 2026
Bri Breidenbach’s abstract “Multiplexed plasma proteomics reveal divergent protein networks associated with resistance and resilience to Alzheimer’s disease” has been accepted for an Onsite Oral Presentation at AD/PD (International Conference on Alzheimer’s & Parkinson’s Diseases), taking place from …
October 23, 2025
Ikenna Odoh Passes Second Stage of US Medical License Examination
Ikenna Odoh passed the second stage of the US Medical License Examination this month! Congratulations on this accomplishment – we are so proud!
September 24, 2025Ozioma Okonkwo Named Recipient of UAB Dept of Psychology Distinguished Scholar Alumni Award
Dr. Ozioma Okonkwo has been selected as the 2025 recipient of the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Department of Psychology Distinguished Scholar Alumni Award!! This award recognizes alumni of the Department for groundbreaking scientific …
September 5, 2025
Val Iaquinta Accepted into Medical School
Val Iaquinta was accepted into the Morehouse School of Medicine MD program in Atlanta! Classes started in July. Congratulations, Val!
August 5, 2025Ozioma Okonkwo Appointed to Leadership Core of Integrated Biological Framework and Staging System for Neurodegenerative Diseases Workgroup
Dr. Ozioma Okonkwo has been appointed to the Leadership Core of a newly-formed Integrated Biological Framework and Staging System for Neurodegenerative Diseases Workgroup. The objectives of this Workgroup – which includes representatives from academia, industry, …
July 11, 2025
Alex Romantz Accepted into Graduate School
Alex Romantz was accepted into 5 graduate programs with scholarships. He has decided to pursue the dual MBA/MPH degree program at Emory University, where he was honored to receive a Dean’s Scholarship through the Goizueta …
July 9, 2025
Adam Paulsen’s Abstract Accepted for Poster Presentation at CTAD 2025
Adam Paulsen’s abstract “Cardiorespiratory fitness and brain atrophy: Sex differences and potential vascular mechanisms” was accepted for a poster presentation at CTAD 2025 in San Diego, CA! Congratulations, Adam!
June 26, 2025
Mackenzie Jarchow’s Manuscript Accepted for Publication
Kenzie Jarchow’s manuscript “More fit KL-VS heterozygotes have more favorable AD-relevant biomarker profiles” has been accepted for publication in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Translational Research & Clinical Interventions. Congratulations, Kenzie!
June 17, 2025Bri Breidenbach’s Manuscript Accepted for Publication
Bri Breidenbach’s manuscript “Cardiorespiratory Fitness Modifies the Relationship Between Arterial Stiffness and Cerebral Blood Flow Independent of Physical Activity” has been accepted for publication in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Translational Research & Clinical Interventions. Congratulations, Bri!
June 16, 2025Adam Paulsen’s Manuscript Accepted for Publication
Adam Paulsen’s manuscript “The impact of estimated cardiorespiratory fitness on Alzheimer’s disease biomarkers and their relationships with cognitive decline” has been accepted for publication in the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Translational Research & Clinical Interventions. …
June 16, 2025
Sonia Shahzad Accepted into Graduate School
Sonia Shahzad was accepted into 4 graduate programs, and she has decided to attend The University of Chicago, where she will pursue her Master of Public Health! Congratulations, Sonia – we are so proud!
June 13, 2025
Talia Brach Accepts Position at Elephas
Talia Brach graduated with her Master of Public Health and has accepted a position at Elephas on their Clinical Affairs Team. Congratulations, Talia!
May 15, 2025
Kyle Edmunds’s Manuscript Accepted for Publication
Kyle Edmunds’s manuscript “Depression modifies age-associated [11C]PiB-PET amyloid burden in a cohort enriched with risk for AD” has been accepted for publication in Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease (JAD). Congratulations, Kyle!
May 13, 2025
Isabella Hoang Accepted into Graduate School
Isabella Hoang was accepted into 5 graduate programs, and she has decided to attend Stanford University, where she will pursue her Master of Science in Epidemiology and Clinical Research! Congratulations, Isabella – we are so …
April 15, 2025Abstracts Accepted for Poster Presentation at AAIC 2025
The Okonkwo Lab has 4 lab members whose abstracts were accepted for poster presentation at AAIC 2025 in Toronto, Canada: Isabella Hoang: The Impact of Language Mismatch on Mini Mental State Examination Scores is Moderated …
April 9, 2025
Welcome Mae McCarty
The Okonkwo Lab is excited to welcome another member to our team: Mae McCarty is the CLARiTI Access Core Program Manager. Mae holds a Master of Public Health degree and has spent the past nine …
April 9, 2025Gabriella Mamlouk’s Manuscript Accepted for Publication
Gabriella Mamlouk’s manuscript “Sex modifies the association between cardiorespiratory fitness and insulin resistance in adults at risk for Alzheimer’s disease” has been accepted for publication in Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism. Congratulations, Gabby!
April 8, 2025Ikenna Odoh’s Abstract Accepted for Oral Presentation
Dr. Ikenna Odoh’s abstract titled “The Association of Cardiorespiratory Fitness with Rates of Cognitive Decline in a Multiethnic Cohort at Risk for Alzheimer’s Disease” has been selected for a Lightning Oral Presentation at the Alzheimer’s …
March 21, 2025- More News