Trey Hedden PhD
Director of Neuroimaging and Biomarker Research in Aging and Alzheimer’s Disease
Associate Professor, Neurology, Radiology, Neuroscience
Core Lead, Biomarker Core, Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
My published work (appearing in over 85 primary research articles) has examined behavioral measures and neuroimaging measures of age-related decreases in memory and executive control processes. I have extensive experience in the design and use of task-based functional MRI to test how age-related changes impact memory and executive function, in using functional connectivity analyses of resting-state functional MRI data to characterize multiple brain networks, in estimating volume and cortical thickness of regions related to memory and executive function, and in the use of diffusion and T2-weighted imaging to detect white matter abnormalities. My current research integrates measures of functional MRI with PET markers of tau and amyloid accumulation, PET markers of dopamine dysfunction, PET markers of glucose metabolism, and MRI markers of white matter integrity to target potential preclinical Alzheimer’s related neuropathology in otherwise normal older individuals. As Director of Neuroimaging and Biomarker Research in Aging and Alzheimer’s Disease at Mount Sinai, I facilitate collaborative research across the Mount Sinai community and with other institutions.
Nancy Andrew-Jaja, BA
Clinical Research Coordinator
Nancy graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2021 with a BA in Psychology and a minor in Neuroscience. During her undergraduate degree, Nancy undertook several clinical and research positions. Nancy has over two years of experience working in both a mental health facility and an assisted living facility. In these positions she worked one-on-one with individuals with moderate-to-severe mental illnesses, dementia, as well as other neurological complications. Her first-hand exposure to the debilitating effects of a brain disease reinforced her understanding that there is a need for increased treatment options. Determined to transfer her clinical experience into neuroscience research, she worked as an undergraduate research assistant for the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development study, where she was introduced to the use of neuroimaging. Additionally, she worked as a volunteer research assistant at the VA medical center, where she assisted with research examining neurodegeneration. Combined, these experiences sparked her interest in neuroscience and the neurobiological factors underlying brain disease. In the future, Nancy would like to obtain a doctoral degree in translational neuroscience, and hopes to contribute to the knowledge, treatment, and prevention of neurodegenerative disorders.
Sarah Binder, BS
Clinical Research Coordinator
Sarah graduated from Northeastern University in 2021 with a BS in Psychology and accompanying minors in Behavioral Neuroscience and Business Administration. At Northeastern, she was involved in neuroscience research at the Center for Cognitive and Brain Health. Her time with the CBH lab spurred her interest in neuroimaging techniques and interventions to improve cognitive performance in older adults. Sarah also completed two full-time co-ops while at Northeastern, working in a mental health clinic and a healthcare systems nonprofit. Building upon her background in the healthcare space, Sarah is interested in lifestyle factors, prevention, and early intervention. For this reason she is excited to contribute to projects that investigate preclinical markers of neurodegeneration which may inform early detection. Sarah hopes to one day be a clinician and researcher and intends to complete a Clinical Psychology PhD.
Carolina Ferreira Atuesta, MD, MSc
Data Manager
Carolina graduated as a Medical Doctor from Universidad de los Andes (Bogotá, Colombia) and obtained a Master’s Degree in Clinical Neuroscience from University College London (UK), where she graduated with Distinction and obtained a place in the Dean’s List. She is passionate about using multimodal imaging to study the brain and brain connectome in health and disease, and developing tools that can be translated into clinical practice. She has clinical and research experience from university hospitals in Bogotá, Washington DC, Munich and London. Previously, she worked as researcher at Kings College London (UK), the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery (UK), and epilepsy centers in Colombia, where she analyzed clinical, neuroimaging and electrophysiological data. Carolina is currently developing pipelines to analyze neuroimaging data from individuals with normal aging or cognitive decline. She hopes her work will add to the current evidence and will be a step towards understanding and preventing pathological cognitive decline. In the long term, Carolina hopes to apply for Neurology Residency and get a PhD in the field.
Jonathan Sutkowski, BS
Data Analyst I
Jonathan graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana in 2020 with a BS in Engineering-Physics. His elective coursework was in electrical engineering, with an emphasis on signal processing. During his undergraduate studies, he worked as an EMT and later a physical therapist aide. After graduating, he worked for a year at Midtown Center in Chicago, a program center that organizes classes and mentoring for inner-city families. Jonathan intends to return to school to pursue an MD.
Lab Alumni:
Jacqueline Emerson, BS, BA
Jacqueline is now a medical student at Duke University School of Medicine.
Nandita Joshi, PhD
After conducting her postdoctoral work in the lab, Nandita is now at Merck, Inc.
Taylor Neal, BA
Taylor is now a Senior Clinical Trials Assistant at Axsome Therapeutics, Inc.
Hannah Nierle, BS, MA
Hannah is now a Clinical Trial Coordinator at CRISPR Therapeutics.
Lydia Piendel, BS
Lydia is now a medical student at the Augusta University/University of Georgia Medical Partnership.