University of Georgia

Overview of Research

  • Microglial Hv1 Proton Channel as a Mediator of Environmentally-Induced Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration
    • This is a dual PI grant with Dr. Long Jun Wu at the Mayo Clinic. The overall objective of this proposal is to define the role of the microglial Hv1 proton channel as a contributor to paraquat-induced neuroinflammation and dopaminergic neurodegeneration.
  • Exploring the role of paraquat exposure, the NLRP3 inflammasome and tau pathology
  • Developmental Basis of Cognitive Dysfunction and Prodromal AD: Role of the Exposome
    • Environmental Exposome as a Driver of Alzheimer’s Disease
      This is a multi-PI grant with Dr. Dean Jones at Emory and Dr. Dwight German at UTSW to explore the relationship of environmental exposures with cognitive function and AD biomarkers in the Health & Aging Brain Study-Health Disparities (HABS-HD).
  • Environmental Exposome as a Driver of Alzheimer’s Disease
    • This is a multi-PI grant with Dr. Honglei Chen at Michigan State and Brenda Plassman at Duke to explore the relationships between pesticide exposure in the Agricultural Health Study and Markers of ADRD neurodegeneration.

View Publications

Jason Richardson

Research Team

Post-Doctoral Candidates and Scientists

Jacob Boos
Jacob Boos HeadshotPostdoctoral Scientist

Research Focus

  • Understanding epigenetic mechanisms of paraquat-induced neuroinflammation
  • The influence of paraquat on proteinopathies in neurodegenerative diseases

Orchid

 

Isha Mhatre Winters
Isha Mhatre Winters headshotPostdoctoral Research Associate

Isha’s research explores the impact of environmental exposures and their interactions with genetic risk to drive Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. This work focuses on biomarker discovery using multi-omic approaches and ultrasensitive assays, with cross-species validation in human cohorts, non-human primates, and transgenic mice to reveal conserved mechanisms of pathology. The primary goal is to translate these findings into precision medicine strategies for early detection, prevention, and intervention in Alzheimer’s disease.

Research Focus

  • Novel preclinical biomarker discovery in Alzheimer’s Disease
  • Cross-species comparative neuropathology and cognition
  • Sex differences to understand risk and resilience in Alzheimer’s disease
  • Role of exposome in neurological diseases

Orchid

Graduate Students

Simran Bhatia

Simran Bhatia HeadshotGraduate Assistant

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mohammed Q Al Eethawi

Graduate AssistantMohammed Q Al Eethawi Headshot

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alicia Harriman

Alicia Harriman HeadshotGraduate Assistant 

Staff

Arturo Barahona

Arturo Barahona HeadshotResearch Technician II
Arturo is a Ph.D. student at Florida International University.

Publications

Orchid

 

 

 

Chunki Kim

Chunki Kim HeadshotResearch Professional
Chunki is studying Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, neuroinflammation, and neurotoxicity using neuronal cells, microglia, astrocytes, and mouse models exposed to herbicides, insecticides, and neurotoxins.

Publications 

Orchid

 

Kyle Kim

Kyle Kim HeadshotTemporary Research Assistant and Ph.D Student at the University of Washington

Kyle’s graduate research investigates the potential effects of microplastics within the gut-brain axis of mice. Utilizing humanized Alzheimer’s (AD) mice models with oral exposure to microplastics, Kyle’s goal is to elucidate the potential mechanistic influence microplastics may have on the development of pre-clinical AD pathology.

Publications

In Vivo Tissue Distribution of Polystyrene or Mixed Polymer Microspheres and Metabolomic Analysis after Oral Exposure in Mice

Yoonhee Han

Laboratory Manager

Yoonhee Han serves as Laboratory Manager in Dr. Richardson’s team, where she oversees daily laboratory operations and supports multiple research projects.

Publications

Orchid

Going beyond the Expected.
Connect with Our Research Centers Today.

Isakson Center for Neurological Disease Research

Precision One Health

Center for Vaccines & Immunology

College of Veterinary Medicine
Research Centers are an integral part of the UGA College of Veterinary Medicine. Learn more about UGA Vet Med here.