Veronique Belzil, PhD, MS

Veronique
Belzil
PhD, MS
Associate Professor
Neurology
Director
Vanderbilt ALS Research Center, Neuromuscular Division

Dr. Belzil is an Associate Professor of Neurology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center where she also serves as the Director of the Vanderbilt ALS Research Center. She obtained her bachelor's degree in psychology from McGill University in 2003 and her master's degree in psychology from Walden University in 2007. Continuing her academic journey, she pursued her Ph.D. in Neuroscience at the University of Montreal under the mentorship of Dr. Guy A. Rouleau, a renowned figure in human medical genetics and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) research, graduating in 2012.

Following the completion of her doctoral studies, Dr. Belzil embarked on a postdoctoral research fellowship at the Mayo Clinic in Florida, under the guidance of Dr. Leonard Petrucelli, a leading expert in neurodegeneration. During this time, she initiated and spearheaded a translational research program aimed at developing patient-centered approaches for treating ALS and Alzheimer's disease-related dementias (ADRDs), notably frontotemporal dementia (FTD).

Dr. Belzil's laboratory is dedicated to utilizing human biospecimens to identify disease-specific variants, including genetic, epigenetic, and transcriptional changes. Through meticulous investigation, her team aims to unravel the intricate etiology, heterogeneous clinical manifestations, and multifaceted environmental interactions observed in patients with neurodegenerative diseases. By elucidating the underlying biological mechanisms and circuitry, they strive to uncover both static and dynamic biomarkers, as well as potential therapeutic targets.

Her research endeavors extend to the development of clinically relevant biomarker panels to facilitate early diagnosis, prognostication, patient stratification, and assessment of target engagement in clinical trials. Leveraging human-derived cell lines, her team also focuses on disease modeling and the innovation of novel therapeutic interventions. Emphasizing teamwork and multidisciplinary collaborations, Dr. Belzil's translational research program aims to expedite the translation of scientific discoveries from bench to bedside, ultimately advancing the field of neurodegeneration and improving patient outcomes.

 

 

Katharine Sourbeer, MD

Katharine
Sourbeer
MD
Assistant Professor
Movement Disorders Division

Dr. Katharine Sourbeer is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurology’s Movement Disorders Division at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. She manages patients facing a wide variety of movement disorders including Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, Dystonia, Essential tremor, and Tourette Syndrome. She holds certification in Neurology from the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and is a member of the Movement Disorders Society and the American Academy of Neurology. 

Dr. Sourbeer completed a fellowship in Movement Disorders at VUMC. She also completed Neurology residency at VUMC, during which time she participated in the Distinction in Biomedical Ethics Program and Distinction in Leadership Training. She served as chief resident her final year and earned the department’s James True Martin Award and Medical Student Teaching Award. She earned her M.D. from the Virginia Tech Carilion (VTC) School of Medicine in Roanoke, VA, as well as a Graduate Certificate in Research in Translational Medicine from Virginia Polytechnic Institute in Blacksburg, VA. She earned her B.S. from Duke University in Durham, NC.

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