James Mastrianni, MD, PhD
Principal Investigator
James Mastrianni, MD, PhD, is an expert in memory disorders and other neurodegenerative conditions. Working on a team of geriatricians, neurologists and neuropsychologists, Dr. Mastrianni provides diagnostic evaluation and long-term management of patients with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. In a special clinic, he also evaluates patients referred to him with atypical dementias, which are unusual dementias for which a clear diagnosis cannot yet be determined. In addition to providing effective care for these patients, Dr. Mastrianni and his colleagues conduct clinical and basic science research to better understand and treat neurodegenerative diseases.
Dr. Mastrianni is an accomplished author who has published numerous scientific articles, book chapters and reviews. He is an invited contributor for Neurology, Journal Watch Neurology, Genetics in Medicine, Trends in Molecular Medicine, and other prestigious medical journals. Dr. Mastrianni is the recipient of many awards and honors. Most recently, he was named the Helen M. McLoraine Neuroscience Investigator of the Brain Research Foundation and was recently awarded the Frederic A. Gibbs Discovery Award for scientific achievement. He has been invited as an expert reviewer for the ECRI Institute of the U.S. Agency for Health Care Research and Quality and he has served on the Illinois Chapter of the Medical and Scientific Advisory panel for the Alzheimer’s Association and on a neuroscience scientific advisory committee of the U.S. Food and Drug Administrations (FDA). Also a dedicated educator, Dr. Mastrianni teaches and mentors students, residents, and doctoral and post-doctoral students.
https://neurology.uchicago.edu/faculty/james-mastrianni-md-phd
https://profiles.uchicago.edu/profiles/display/37711
Nikita Mehta
Graduate Student
Nikita Mehta is a third-year PhD candidate in the Neurobiology program within the Biological Sciences Division. She is studying the role(s) of Prion Protein expression and trafficking in Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). Nikita previously served as the Co-President of Graduate Council and the Chair of the International Graduate Student Advisory Board (IGSAB) and an International House Fellow. In these roles, she has led and managed several teams, with a focus on working with key administrators to expand the scope of services offered to students across the University, fostering inter-divisional collaboration, and building both organizational structures and streamlined processes to ensure sustainability in the years to come. She previously served as the BSD Dean’s Council Co-Chair from also 2020-2021, during which she worked to restructure the council to function efficiently and effectively during the COVID-19 pandemic and provide resources and services to BSD graduate students. Nikita completed her undergraduate education at the University of Chicago (AB’19), double majoring in Neuroscience and Biology with a minor in Statistics.
Lainey Gregory
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Lainey Gregory is a second-year undergraduate majoring in Neuroscience at the University of Chicago. She is currently involved in the development of a gene therapy treatment for prion disease, as well as studying the link between Alzheimer’s dementia and prion disease. Outside of lab, Lainey works as a medical scribe at the UCMC emergency department and volunteers at La Rabida Children’s Hospital. She is also a board member of Phoenix Biology, a registered student organization at the University of Chicago that aims to support students in their pursuit of careers in the biological sciences.
Ani Solanki
Macgyver Guy