People


Dr. Constanza J. Cortes (PI)

Dr. Constanza Cortes
Assistant Professor  (cjcortes [at] uab.edu)

Education and Training

Research Assistant Professor

Duke University Department of Neurology
Duke Center for Neurodegeneration and Neurotherapeutics
Senior Fellow, Duke Aging Center

Postdoctoral Fellow

University of California San Diego
Department of Pediatrics
Mentor: Dr. Albert R. La Spada

Ph.D. in Cellular and Molecular Physiology

University of Chicago
Mentor: Dr. James A. Mastrianni

About Connie

I am interested in understanding how our brain ages, using animal models to understand the cellular and molecular changes in the aging brain. This is particularly fascinating as age is the most common risk factors for many neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease. If we can identify pathways that modulate aging of the central nervous system, we may be able to develop therapies for Alzheimer’s disease and help our brain heal itself.  

I am really keen to share the excitement of scientific discovery with other people. Other scientists, my trainees, and the public! Training junior investigators is a large part of what I do, and I am particularly interested in breaking down barriers to enhance diversity and improve the representation of minorities in science. As such, good mentoring of students and postdocs is a personal goal of mine, and I enjoy training and supporting upcoming generations of scientists very much.

Allison Birnbaum

Postdoctoral Fellow
Department of Cell Developmental and Integrative Biology

Education and Training

Ph.D.- Iowa State University -Genetics and Genomics – Mentor: Dr. Hua Bai

M.S.- SUNY Binghamton – Biomedical Anthropology – Mentor: Dr. Koji Lum

B.S.- SUNY Binghamton – Biochemistry

Email: abirnba1[at]uab.edu

About Allison

I am interested in the communication between glia and neurons in regulating synaptic function, neuron survival, and maintaining both CNS and PNS functional activity. I am currently investigating how exercise-associated pathways originating from the periphery can attenuate astrocyte inflammation that occurs with Alzheimer’s Disease. When I am not in the lab, I enjoy pub trivia and playing volleyball!

Awards and Honors

Alzheimer’s Association Research Fellowship (AARF) Program – 2021

Kristen Coutinho

PhD student, joined in 2020
Genetics, Genomics, and Bioinformatic
Graduate Biomedical Science

Education and Training

B.S.- Kennesaw State University- Biology

Email: kcoutinh[at]uab.edu

About Kristen

I am studying the effects of TFEB in mouse skeletal muscle. In my free time, I enjoy walks in the park, playing flute and piano, and hanging out with friends.

Awards and Honors

Health Equity Award – 08/20/2021 – AI against CANCER Data Science Hackathon, University of Alabama Birmingham, Birmingham, AL

Translational Medicine T32 Fellowship Finalist – 08/04/2021- University of Alabama Birmingham, Birmingham, AL

Ian Matthews

PhD student, joined in 2020
Cellular, Molecular and Developmental Biology
Graduate Biomedical Science

Education and Training

B.A. – Lewis and Clark College – Biology

Email: ianmatt[at]uab.edu

About Ian

Here for a long time, not a good time

Dalton Patterson

Master’s student
Department of Cell Developmental and Integrative Biology

Education and Training

B.S.- Piedmont University – Cell and Molecular Biology

Email: daltoncp[at]uab.edu

About Dalton

I am interested in exploring the field of aging research and how neurodegenerative disease’s affect brain aging. Outside of that, I like to watch movies, play tennis and video games, and take my dog for walks.

Awards and Honors

GSG Fall Travel Grant – 2020
NIA/NIH Supplemental Diversity Award – 2021
Samuel B. Barker Award for Excellence in Graduate Studies 2021-2022
MSMBS Annual 3MT competition winner – 2022

Macy Banks

Undergraduate student

Email: ab4791[at]uab.edu

About Macy

Hi! I am a rising undergraduate senior at UAB majoring in Chemistry and Neuroscience! I am currently investigating the cholinergic system in our 5xFAD mouse line through IF and analyzing data sets related to this system and AD. I am applying to Pharmacology PhD programs this fall in hopes to become a pharmacometrician!

Rizwan Khan

Undergraduate student

About Rizwan

Hi everyone, my name is Rizwan Khan, and I am a senior majoring in Neuroscience. I am also pursuing an MPH through UAB’s ABM program

Megan McGraw

Undergraduate Student/Research Technician

About Megan

Megan graduated in 2022 from the Undergraduate Neuroscience Program and the Accelerated Bachelors/Masters in Multidisciplinary Biomedical Sciences concentration in Neuroscience with high distinguished honors from the Science and Technology Honors program

Pranesh Macha

Undergraduate Student

About Pranesh

I am a Junior pursuing a Neuroscience major and a Chemistry minor on the pre-med track. I am also a part of the Science and Technology Honors program here at UAB.

Anna Wilson

Undergraduate Student

About Anna

UAB College of Arts and Sciences, Neuroscience

Email: annawil[at]uab.edu

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