C. Elizabeth Shaaban, PhD, MS, MPH

I am faculty in Epidemiology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health and a University of Pittsburgh Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center REC Scholar working with the Outreach, Recruitment, and Engagement (ORE) Core. I have postdoctoral training in Population Neuroscience of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias, including training in neuroimaging biomarkers, and graduate training in Population Neuroscience of Aging and ultra-high field MRI imaging of cerebral small vessel disease (PhD), neuroscience (MS), and social and behavioral determinants of health (MPH).

I integrate epidemiology, biostatistics, neuroscience/neuroimaging, and psychology to study vascular contributions to cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID), including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), using a Population Neuroscience framework. I have been funded by NIH through prior T32 and F31 awards. My research focuses on identifying promoters of cerebral small vessel integrity to prevent AD and related disorders and has included evaluation of growth factors, physical activity, and vascular risk factor reduction. Present work includes an NIA funded K01 applying a Population Neuroscience approach to evaluate gender/sex influences on the cerebral small vessel disease-to-AD pathophysiological cascade and Co-I work on an NIA-funded R01 evaluating cognition and brain health in people with a history of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. My aim is to gain insight into gender-related and sex-specific intervention targets to reduce AD and promote brain health equity.

2018 | PhD | University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA |
Graduate School of Public Health | Epidemiology | Population Neuroscience of Aging & Neuroepidemiology Specialization

2021 | MS | University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA |
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences | Neuroscience

2010 | MPH | University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA |
Graduate School of Public Health | Behavioral and Community Health Sciences

2001 | BS | University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA |
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences | Psychology

1. December 7, 2021. Neurocognitive Disorders. Guest Lecturer for EPIDEMIOLOGY 2017: Chronic Disease Epidemiology (Drs. Iva Miljkovic & Emma Barinas-Mitchell, Course Faculty).
2. November 18, 2021. Electronic health records in population neuroscience. Co-taught with Dr. Richard Boyce. Guest Lecturer for Population Neuroscience of Aging and Alzheimer’s Disease T32 Seminar Series
3. October 18, 2021. Neuroimaging. Guest Lecturer for EPIDEMIOLOGY 2017: Population Neuroscience Seminar (Dr. Andrea Rosso, Course Faculty).
4. September 27, 2021. Grants workshopping. Guest Lecturer for EPIDEMIOLOGY 2921: Grant Writing (Dr. Lisa Bodnar, Course Faculty).
5. June 2021. Moderator. Interactive discussion of FDA approval of aducanumab. University of Pittsburgh Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center Poster Session 2021.
6. Fall 2020-Present. Course Director for Topics at Noon Seminar Series of the University of Pittsburgh Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center.
7. October 2020. Design and Data Visualization for Clear Communication. Guest Lecturer for Population Neuroscience of Aging and Alzheimer’s Disease T32 Seminar Series (Dr. Caterina Rosano, Program Director).
8. October 2020. Grants workshopping. Guest Lecturer for EPIDEMIOLOGY 2921: Grant Writing (Dr. Lisa Bodnar, Course Faculty).
9. October 2019. Neuroimaging. Guest Lecturer for EPIDEMIOLOGY 2017: Population Neuroscience Seminar (Dr. Andrea Rosso, Course Faculty).
10. September 2019. Grants workshopping. Guest Lecturer for EPIDEMIOLOGY 2921: Grant Writing (Dr. Lisa Bodnar, Course Faculty).
11. February 2019. Assessment of cognition and dementia in epidemiological studies. Organizer, moderator, presenter for EPIDEMIOLOGY Seminar.
12. October 2018. Neuroimaging. Guest Lecturer for EPIDEMIOLOGY 2017: Population Neuroscience Seminar Dr. Andrea Rosso, Course Faculty).
13. Summer 2018. GERON 2007. Caregiving in Aging. Adjunct Faculty Instructor. University of Pittsburgh University Center for Social and Urban Research Online Graduate Certificate in Gerontology.
14. Spring 2016. Teaching assistant for in EPIDEMIOLOGY 2012: Principles of Neuroepidemiology and Population Neuroscience.
15. March 24, 2016. Review of Neuroepidemiology and Population Neuroscience Methods. Guest Lecturer for EPIDEMIOLOGY 2012: Principles of Neuroepidemiology and Population Neuroscience.
16. January 28, 2016. PET Neuroimaging Overview. Guest Lecturer for EPIDEMIOLOGY 2012: Principles of Neuroepidemiology and Population Neuroscience.
17. October 2012.Beyond the Mini Mental:  Assessing Cognition in the Elderly. Guest Lecturer for geriatric assessment breakout session for 3^rd year medical students, University of Pittsburgh.
18. October 2011.Beyond the Mini Mental:  Assessing Cognition in the Elderly. Guest Lecturer for geriatric assessment breakout session for 3^rd year medical students, University of Pittsburgh.

Gerontological Society of America
Society for Epidemiologic Research
International Society to Advance Alzheimer's Research and Treatment (ISTAART)
International Society of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism

CURRENT

2022-2027 | Population neuroscience of sex differences in the Alzheimer's Disease biomarker cascade: the role of cerebral small vessel disease | Role: PI | NIA K01AG071849

2022-2027 | Preeclampsia and the brain: small vessel disease and cognitive function in early midlife | Role: Co-I | NIA R01AG072646 | mPI: Janet Catov, PhD & Caterina Rosano, MD, MPH

PREVIOUS

Population Neuroscience of Aging & Alzheimer's Disease T32 | Role: Postdoctoral Fellow |
MPI: Caterina Rosano, Epidemiology & Mary Ganguli, Psychiatry |
NIA T32 AG055381

Momentum Funds Teaming Grant | Role: Co-I | PI: Richard Boyce, Biomedical Informatics | Internal University of Pittsburgh Funding

F31 Predoctoral Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award | Role: PI| NIA F31AG054084

University of Pittsburgh Pepper Center Pilot Grant | Role: Lead Project Scientist |
MPI: Caterina Rosano, Epidemiology & Abbe de Vallejo, Pediatrics & Immunology

Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition Behavioral Brain T32 | Role: Predoctoral Fellow |
MPI: Julie A. Fiez, Psychology and Lori Holt, Psychology @ Carnegie Mellon University
NIGMS T32GM081760

Note: I have publications and presentations under both Shaaban CE and Sarles CE.

MyNCBI bibliography