T32 Leadership

Dr. Jada Lewis is the co-deputy director of the McKnight Brain Institute and a professor in UF’s department of neuroscience. Her research is focused on creating, characterizing and utilizing genetically manipulated models of diseases of the brain and spinal cord, or “neurodegenerative diseases.” These neurodegenerative diseases include Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, frontotemporal dementia, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Dr. Lewis serves on the MBI Executive Committee.

Dr. Paramita Chakrabarty is an Assistant Professor in Neuroscience. She received her PhD from Jawaharlal Nehru University (New Delhi, India) on functional characterization of calcium binding proteins in intestinal parasites. Following this, she shifted gears to train in neuroscience as she became intrigued by how the brain function declines during aging, especially investigating what triggers age-related sporadic neurodegenerative diseases. She completed her postdoctoral training at the University of Washington and the Mayo Clinic (Jacksonville). She rose through the ranks at the University of Florida and established her independent lab where her broad focus is investigating the role of neuroinflammation in neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.