Dr. Amalia Peterson is a behavioral neurologist and Assistant Professor of Neurology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Dr. Peterson’s research focuses on how women’s health factors relate to Alzheimer's disease and related dementias from a life course perspective. Dr. Peterson sees memory referral patients as part of the Division of Behavioral and Cognitive Neurology in the Department of Neurology. She also serves as a co-investigator with the Vanderbilt Memory and Aging Project and the Clinical Core Co-Leader for the Vanderbilt Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center.

Dr. Peterson earned her bachelor’s degree in neuroscience from Pomona College in Claremont, California before spending a year as a Fulbright Scholar at the Cajal Institute in Madrid, Spain. Dr. Peterson completed her medical degree at the University of Michigan and neurology residency at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Dr. Peterson subsequently completed a cognitive and behavioral neurology fellowship at Columbia University. During her fellowship training, Dr. Peterson earned a master’s degree in epidemiology at Columbia’s Mailman School of Public Health. She joined the Vanderbilt faculty in 2022.

Michelle Clifton is a Statistical Genetic Analyst II working with the Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer’s Center's Computational Neurogenomics Team. She graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with her Bachelor of Science in Biology concentrating in Genetics and a minor in Mathematics. While at MTSU, Michelle worked in a cancer genetics lab where she identified abnormal mRNA splicing variants in different types of cancer. She later obtained a Master of Science in Epidemiology from the University of Pittsburgh, where she completed a thesis on evaluating association between periaortic adipose tissue and arterial stiffness across time. In her spare time, Michelle enjoys reading, traveling, and watching animal videos. 

Alaina Durant is a Statistical Genetics Analyst in the Vanderbilt's Memory and Alzheimer's Center working with the Computational Neurogenomics Team. She graduated from NC State University with a BS in Biology with a Neurobiology concentration, and minors in Statistics and Genetics. She plans on pursuing a Masters in Genetic Counseling with a Neurology focus in the years to come. In her free time, Alaina enjoys spending time outdoors with her dogs, Boo and Squirt, and bunny, Benji!

Skylar Walters is a Statistical Genetic Analyst in the Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer’s Center, working with the Computational Neurogenomics Team. She graduated from Georgia State University with a B.S. in Neuroscience and a minor in Psychology. She also has a M.S. in Neuroscience from Georgia State University, where she completed a thesis on the relationship between cytokines and functional connectivity in the default mode network in Alzheimer’s disease.

Anderson Miller is a Clinical Translational Research Coordinator II at the Vanderbilt Memory & Alzheimer’s Center. Anderson graduated in 2018 from Vanderbilt University with a B.A. in Neuroscience and a minor in Religious Studies. While at Vanderbilt, he was an undergraduate research assistant under Dr. Suzana Herculano-Houzel investigating the relationship between cognitive flexibility and cytoarchitecture in raccoons. Following his undergraduate career, Anderson worked under Dr. Eric Skaar on projects testing and developing novel methods of using photodynamic therapy to treat antibiotic resistant bacterial infections.

Anderson is excited to work with the team at VMAC and further develop his skills before pursuing a doctoral degree in behavioral neuroscience. In his free time, Anderson enjoys watching and discussing movies, exploring Nashville for new restaurants, and listening to podcasts.

Daniel Ibarra-Scurr is a Program Manager overseeing Special Projects at the Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer’s Center. He received a bachelor's of music in 2008 and masters of education in 2009, both from Vanderbilt University. During his tenure as a Project Specialist for Brookdale Senior Living, Daniel served as project lead for multiple large-scale projects, including a complete overhaul of the lead intake system and process for marketing inquiries as well as multiple system integrations focused on improved associate and customer experience and streamlining workflow.

Outside of work, Daniel spends time with his family and pets or visiting family in Missouri or Georgia.

Dr. Ray Romano is a family nurse practitioner with experience in research and quality improvement. His focus is on health services research, and his specific interests are in the detection, diagnosis and care of dementia in the primary care setting. He earned his bachelor’s degree in biology at Marymount Manhattan College, his master’s degree in public health from Boston University and his master’s degree in nursing from Vanderbilt University. He completed his PhD at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center during which he studied how alteration in the pain experience differs in those at risk for developing Alzheimer’s Disease.

Dr. Romano's interest in dementia began as an undergraduate studying the role a certain protein plays in insulin-related neurodegenerative diseases. While at Boston University, he worked in clinical research at the school’s Alzheimer’s Disease Center, then moved to Nashville to join the Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer’s Center. He also completed a yearlong fellowship at the Department of Veterans Affairs, focusing on quality improvement.

Raymond Romano is a family nurse practitioner with experience in research and quality improvement. His focus is on health services research, and his specific interests are in the detection, diagnosis and care of dementia in the primary care setting. He earned his bachelor’s degree in biology at Marymount Manhattan College, his master’s degree in public health from Boston University and his master’s degree in nursing from Vanderbilt University. He completed his PhD at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center during which he studied how alteration in the pain experience differs in those at risk for developing Alzheimer’s Disease. Ray’s interest in dementia began as an undergraduate studying the role a certain protein plays in insulin-related neurodegenerative diseases. While at Boston University, he worked in clinical research at the school’s Alzheimer’s Disease Center, then moved to Nashville to join the Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer’s Center. He also completed a yearlong fellowship at the Department of Veterans Affairs, focusing on quality improvement.

Outside of work Ray has been teaching himself to cook. He enjoys making dishes he grew up eating with his family like lasagna and pasta fazool. Ray also spends his time on new hobbies like boxing and yoga. When able Ray enjoys traveling and spending time with friends

Marissa Gogniat is a postdoctoral fellow in Neuropsychology at the Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer’s Center under the mentorship of Dr. Angela Jefferson. She graduated summa cum laude from Emory University with bachelor’s degrees in Neuroscience & Behavioral Biology and Psychology. She earned a doctorate in Clinical Psychology with a concentration in Neuropsychology from the University of Georgia. Prior to joining VMAC, she completed a doctoral internship at the VA Maryland Health Care System/University of Maryland School of Medicine Psychology Internship Consortium in the VA Neuropsychology Track. 

Dr. Gogniat’s research focuses on the neuroprotective effects of health and wellness factors in aging using neuroimaging techniques and neuropsychological assessment. In addition to her research activities, Dr. Gogniat will also perform clinical assessments under the supervision of Dr. Katherine Gifford in the Behavioral and Cognitive Neurology clinic and Dr. Holly Westervelt in the One Hundred Oaks Outpatient Neurology clinic. 

Julia Libby is a research analyst working with the Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer's Center's Computational Neurogenomics Team. She graduated from Trevecca Nazarene University with her Bachelor of Science in Biology. During the summer following her sophomore year, she worked with the Center as an undergraduate research intern with the Computational Neurogenomics Team. She plans on potentially pursuing a PhD in neuroscience in the years to come. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, spending time in nature, traveling to new places, and watching movies.