Who We Are

I am a cognitive and behavioral neurologist dedicated to improving the diagnosis and care of individuals with neurocognitive disorders. My journey in this field began with medical training at Oregon Health & Science University, where I also worked in the Alzheimer’s Disease Center. I completed my residency at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, followed by four years at the University of California, San Francisco’s Memory and Aging Center. My work has centered on expanding access to high-quality dementia care and advancing innovative approaches to understanding cognitive and behavioral changes in neurodegenerative disease.

Research Goals:

My research focuses on two key areas:

Enhancing Diagnosis and Care
There is a pressing need to improve how neurocognitive disorders are recognized and managed across diverse communities. Many people—including medical providers—struggle to differentiate among neurocognitive disorders, leading to missed opportunities for early intervention. Even in Alzheimer’s disease, much can be done to maintain quality of life, yet obstacles such as time constraints and unfamiliarity with best practices often hinder optimal care. As the population ages, it is increasingly critical to implement better tools and programs that facilitate diagnosis and provide guidance for both patients and clinicians.

Understanding Communication in Neurodegenerative Disease
My research examines all aspects of communication in neurodegenerative disease—not just what people say, but how they say it. Using computational linguistics, I analyze language patterns, while studies of prosody explore the melody and rhythm of speech. Additionally, I investigate facial expression and other nonverbal cues to understand their role in communication and how they evolve with disease progression. A key goal is to determine how changes in communication influence outcomes for patients and caregivers, with the broader aim of improving both diagnosis and support strategies.

Current Studies:

Computerized Cognitive Assessment
We are refining a computerized assessment system designed to streamline the diagnostic process for individuals with cognitive concerns. This platform aims to educate patients, caregivers, and providers while reducing the time required for high-quality neurocognitive evaluations. By making this system widely accessible, we hope to empower individuals to take an active role in their care.

Speech and Nonverbal Communication Analysis
I am developing computational tools to assess speech and laughter, with the goal of improving early recognition of neurocognitive disorders. These measures are compared with standard neuropsychological tests and biomarkers to enhance diagnostic accuracy and identify subtle early changes in conditions like Alzheimer’s disease.

Facial Expression and Neurological Function
Traditional models of facial expression control may be overly simplistic. We are utilizing high-speed videography and electrophysiological methods to gain deeper insight into how the brain generates even basic expressions, such as a smile. This work has the potential to contribute to earlier and more precise detection of neurocognitive disorders.

Impact
Expanding high-quality dementia care to underserved communities is a critical priority. Technology-driven solutions can help educate both healthcare professionals and the public about neurocognitive disorders, leading to earlier recognition and improved outcomes. Digital assessments, remote screening tools, and passive monitoring of everyday behaviors—such as speech and language—offer promising avenues for detecting the earliest signs of neurodegenerative disease.

While language is a cornerstone of human communication, paralinguistic signals—such as tone of voice and facial expression—are often overlooked. Yet, these cues shape social interactions from infancy and take precedence when verbal and nonverbal signals conflict (as in sarcasm). Deficits in paralinguistic communication have been noted across multiple neurological disorders, yet their underlying mechanisms and implications remain poorly understood. Advancing our knowledge in this area could open new pathways for both diagnosis and treatment.

I am committed to fostering collaborations that enhance the lives of individuals with neurocognitive disorders. By integrating innovative research with compassionate clinical care, we can build a future where better understanding leads to better outcomes for patients and their families.