Abigail Miga is a Clinical Translational Research Coordinator I at Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer’s Center. She graduated from Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) in December 2022 with a bachelor's in biochemistry and religious studies. During her time at MTSU, she gained hands-on laboratory experience studying metabolic engineering within the context of finding sustainable alternative biofuels and oncogenic transcription factor MYC, leading to her interest in genetics.

In her free time, she enjoys playing with her dogs, going on walks, and listening to podcasts.

Becky Goodridge is a Clinical Translational Research Coordinator III at the Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer’s Center. She graduated from Vanderbilt University with a master of science in Speech-Language Pathology with a thesis under Dr. Katherine Gifford at the Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer's Center studying informant-based subjective cognitive decline. Becky completed her Clinical Fellowship training in a Veterans Affairs healthcare system. She has experience working clinically as a speech-language pathologist serving patients with impairments in cognitive-communication as well as other communication and swallowing disorders.

In her spare time, she enjoys spending time outdoors with her friends and her dog. 

Alexis Smith is a Statistical Genetics Analyst II at the Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer's Center working with the Computational Neurogenomics Team. She graduated from Rhodes College with a bachelor's degree in neuroscience. She later obtained a master of science in biostatistics from the University of Memphis. In her spare time, Alexis enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with loved ones.

Dr. Monica M. Santisteban is a neuroscientist specializing in neuroimmune and neurovascular physiology, and an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Dr. Santisteban's research interests focus on the mechanisms of the neurovascular dysfunction and cognitive impairment produced by hypertension, a leading risk factor for stroke and dementia, including Alzheimer's disease. The goal of her research is to make discoveries that will advance our understanding of the deleterious impact of hypertension on cognitive function and brain health.

Dr. Santisteban completed her doctoral degree in physiology at the University of Florida, and a postdoctoral fellowship in neuroscience at Weill Cornell Medicine Brain and Mind Research Institute.

Amy Houchins is a Program Manager at the Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer’s Center. She graduated from Austin Peay State University with a bachelor's of science in English and writing. 

Bryan Jackson is a Data Science Associate at the Vanderbilt Memory & Alzheimer’s Center. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology in 2012 from Texas A&M University. He also earned a PhD in cognitive psychology and neuroscience from Texas A&M University in 2022 for his work in determining whether the interconnectivity of subcortical networks spanning the cerebellum and basal ganglia were predictive of cortical network interconnectivity, mental health symptoms, and psychosis-related diagnoses and symptomotology.

Bryan is passionate about LGBTQIA+ advocacy and spends his time with his partner and dogs exploring hiking trials and good restaurants.

Ting-Chen Wang is a PhD student in human genetics under the mentorship of Dr. Logan Dumitrescu at the Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer’s Center. Ting-Chen graduated in 2021 from Baylor University in Waco, Texas with a bachelor’s of science in bioinformatics. Ting-Chen's research interests focus on studying the sex-specific genetic architecture of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias to develop precision medicine therapeutic approaches.

Ashley Emerson is a Research Programs Manager at the Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer’s Center. She graduated from Sullivan University in May 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and marketing. During her tenure as Director of Administrative Services for The Heritage at Brentwood, she served as administrative and technology lead for over 300 senior residents.

In her free time, Ashley enjoys spending time with her family, reading, learning and traveling.

Francis Cambronero is completing her Ph.D. in Neuroscience under the mentorship of Dr. Angela Jefferson at the Vanderbilt Memory & Alzheimer’s Center. Francis earned her bachelor's degree from Harvard College in Neurobiology with a concentration in Global Health & Health Policy. Prior to joining Vanderbilt University, Francis worked at the Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Sciences studying the effects of metabolic risk on functional brain phenotypes and neuropsychiatric functioning.

Francis' current research interests are focused on understanding how vascular risk factors, including aortic stiffness and cerebral artery variations, relate to neurovascular and cognitive dysfunction among aging adults. She is particularly interested in risk stratification, including contributions from genetic susceptibility markers of Alzheimer’s disease and social determinants of health. Francis' work utilizes cardiac imaging, neuroimaging, and neuropsychological methods to study changes across the cognitive aging spectrum.

Elena Griffo is a Lead Communications Specialist at the Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer’s Center. She received a bachelor’s degree in integrated strategic communications from the University of Kentucky in 2016. During her tenure at GS&F, an integrated marketing agency, Elena led social media, public relations, and communications strategy for a variety of clients, including an academic medical center. She is passionate about health literacy and values her role in making health information more accessible to the general public.

During her free time, Elena enjoys live music, cooking, exercising, and spending time with friends.