UT Southwestern Peter O'Donnell Jr. Brain Institute

11/13/2025

Sarah Shahmoradian, Ph.D., Assistant Professor in the Center for Alzheimer’s & Neurodegenerative Diseases and Department of Biophysics, received a Parkinson's Foundation 2025 Impact Award. The award recognizes her research on the development of molecular imaging tools for diagnosing and monitoring ’s disease. Dr. Shahmoradian aims to provide the first atomic-resolution view of how a small-molecule PET tracer binds to misfolded alpha-synuclein fibrils in human Parkinson’s brain tissue. Learn more about Dr. Shahmoradian’s research: https://bit.ly/3XoPvt8

11/11/2025

The Food and Drug Administration recently approved a new diagnostic blood test for Alzheimer's disease for those who are 55 and older. Dr. Brendan Kelley, a specialist in the evaluation of neurological impairment in memory and cognition, spoke with KERA's Sam Baker about the test's usefulness and limitations. Listen to the interview with Dr. Kelley: https://bit.ly/4hS1zwp

11/07/2025

Attila Losonczy, M.D., Ph.D., Professor in the O'Donnell Brain Institute, will collaborate with researchers across the globe to decipher the neural code of learning and memory. The Losonczy Lab, Nusser Lab, and Spiegel Lab received a $12 million Synergy Grant from the European Research Council. The researchers' MemoryLoci project aims to understand learning and memory from circuits to synapses and molecules. Dr. Losonczy is Director of the OBI's new Program in Memory Longevity. Learn more about the pioneering research in the Losonczy Lab: https://www.losonczylab.org/

11/05/2025

Thanks to big ideas, investments, and, yes, brain power, UT Southwestern has accelerated research and treatment for brain diseases ranging from Alzheimer's and dementia to autism, epilepsy, essential tremor, depression, and intractable brain tumors. Take a deep dive into UT Southwestern Peter O'Donnell Jr. Brain Institute's discoveries. https://bit.ly/3JxoGQm

In her new office at UT Southwestern Medical Center, Ceci Verbaarschot, Ph.D., sits among unpacked boxes and discusses the intricacies of a brain-computer interface she is developing. The device is designed to restore sensation and movement in the upper...

10/31/2025

For World Stroke Day, the UT Southwestern Stroke Team gave staff the chance to test their knowledge of stroke treatment, process, and recognition. Participants had to answer each question in a row correctly to make tic-tac-toe. Congrats to the winner of the "BEFAST, Not Slow Tic-Tac-Toe Game," the 2 Blue Pre-Surgery Testing Unit! They won free lunch for the entire unit. Learn more about the signs of a stroke in this video with Drs. Parth Upadhyaya and Babu Welch: https://bit.ly/4qwpUvH

10/30/2025

The UT Southwestern Department of Neurological Surgery has established a new program for patients suffering from advanced oncological pain and refractory facial pain. Dr. Ahmad Alhourani is part of the Neurosurgical Pain Treatment Service and will provide ablative interventions and neuromodulation. Learn more about Dr. Alhourani: https://bit.ly/4qSg1ZJ

10/23/2025

Dr. Jeffrey Zigman and Dr. Omprakash Singh co-led research that identifies for the first time a distinct set of neurons in the brain that controls feeding & metabolism during one specific time of day. The findings could lead to new weight-loss strategies. https://bit.ly/4n7SD72

10/22/2025

Thuy-Tien Ho, PA-C, received the Texas Academy of Physician Assistants 2025 PA of the Year Award. The award honors a PA who has demonstrated exemplary service to the profession and community. Thuy-Tien provides stroke education to hundreds of providers at UT Southwestern and is a dedicated mentor and preceptor guiding PA students and fellows. Outside the hospital, she provides underserved communities with culturally tailored wellness programs, lifestyle counseling, and stroke awareness.

10/17/2025

UT Southwestern's "The Journey: Stroke Support Group" will host a special "Ask the Doc" meeting on October 23 with neurocritical care physician, Dr. Ranier Reyes. Stroke survivors and caregivers will have the full hour to address questions and concerns with Dr. Reyes. Sign up for the support group's email list to receive meeting details: https://bit.ly/4opsEJl

10/16/2025

The Losonczy Lab, part of the new O’Donnell Brain Institute Program for Memory & Longevity, is seeking Postdoctoral Fellows to study the cellular and circuit mechanisms of memory. We’re particularly interested in an in vitro electrophysiologist eager to explore the synaptic and dendritic basis of learning using advanced physiological and imaging tools.

The Losonczy Lab combines cutting-edge physiology, imaging, and molecular approaches to understand how memories are formed and preserved.
More details and how to apply: https://jobs.sciencecareers.org/job/675670/postdoctoral-fellow-for-program-in-memory-and-longevity-at-ut-southwestern-o-donnell-brain-institute

10/13/2025

The O’Donnell Brain Institute's newly established Scholars Program is recruiting exceptional early career scientists of ANY discipline whose research includes mechanistic studies that advance understanding of CNS disease and aging. The program supports individuals pursuing either laboratory-based or human subject research. Scholars will receive a generous ~$3M recruitment package and lab space in the state-of-the-art O’Donnell Biomedical Research Building.

Learn more about eligibility and apply: https://apply.interfolio.com/174927

10/09/2025

Congratulations to David Sanders, Ph.D., Assistant Professor in the Center for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases and Molecular Biology, who is a recipient of the National Institutes of Health Director’s New Innovator Award. The award supports early-career investigators pursuing bold projects with broad potential impact on biomedical, behavioral, or social sciences. Dr. Sander's research focuses on the role of RNA/protein assemblies in neurodegenerative diseases.
https://bit.ly/4o8rsKe

David Sanders, Ph.D., Assistant Professor in the Center for Alzheimer's and Neurodegenerative Diseases and Molecular Biology at UT Southwestern Medical Center, has been awarded $2.4 million over five years from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to...