Postdoctoral Fellow, Epidemiology
OSCAR / REC Scholar, Alzheimer's Disease Research Center
R-znvy: Orgu.Funnona@cvgg.rqh Primary Phone: 967-193-9037
I am a population neuroscientist and postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Epidemiology at the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health working with mentors Drs. Bill Klunk and Ann Cohen. I am also a University of Pittsburgh Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center OSCAR / REC Scholar working with the Outreach, Recruitment, and Engagement (ORE) Core. I completed my PhD in epidemiology in Dr. Caterina Rosano’s lab, where I trained in advanced neuroimaging of cerebral small vessel disease and population neuroscience of aging. I integrate the methods of epidemiology, data science, neuroscience, 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 both T32 and F31 awards, and I have recently submitted a K01 application to NIA applying a population neuroscience approach to evaluate whether there are sex differences in the cerebral small vessel disease-to-AD pathophysiological cascade. My aim is to gain insight into 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 (anticipated) | 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. Fall 2020-Spring 2021. Course Director for Topics at Noon Seminar Series of the University of Pittsburgh Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. 2. October 2020. Grants workshopping. Guest Lecturer for EPIDEMIOLOGY 2921: Grant Writing (Dr. Lisa Bodnar, Course Faculty). 3. October 2019. Neuroimaging. Guest Lecturer for EPIDEMIOLOGY 2017: Population Neuroscience Seminar (Dr. Andrea Rosso, Course Faculty). 4. September 2019. Grants workshopping. Guest Lecturer for EPIDEMIOLOGY 2921: Grant Writing (Dr. Lisa Bodnar, Course Faculty). 5. February 2019. Assessment of cognition and dementia in epidemiological studies. Organizer, moderator, presenter for EPIDEMIOLOGY Seminar. 6. October 2018. Neuroimaging. Guest Lecturer for EPIDEMIOLOGY 2017: Population Neuroscience Seminar (Dr. Andrea Rosso, Course Faculty). 7. 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. 8. Spring 2016. Teaching assistant for in EPIDEMIOLOGY 2012: Principles of Neuroepidemiology and Population Neuroscience. 9. March 24, 2016. Review of Neuroepidemiology and Population Neuroscience Methods. Guest Lecturer for EPIDEMIOLOGY 2012: Principles of Neuroepidemiology and Population Neuroscience. 10. January 28, 2016. PET Neuroimaging Overview. Guest Lecturer for EPIDEMIOLOGY 2012: Principles of Neuroepidemiology and Population Neuroscience. 11. October 2012. Beyond the Mini Mental: Assessing Cognition in the Elderly. Guest Lecturer for geriatric assessment breakout session for 3rd year medical students, University of Pittsburgh. 12. October 2011. Beyond the Mini Mental: Assessing Cognition in the Elderly. Guest Lecturer for geriatric assessment breakout session for 3rd 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
ACTIVE 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
PREVIOUS 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