My name is Ryan Shahidehpour, and as a postdoctoral researcher in the lab of Pete Nelson, MD, PhD, in the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, I investigate pathological changes that drive neurodegenerative diseases associated with aging in the human brain. My research focuses on understanding how these diseases progress at the cellular level, with a particular interest in how different pathologies drive neurodegeneration.
My interest in neuroscience started unexpectedly— before stepping into a lab, I spent years competing as a professional boxer while also playing lacrosse internationally. However, as discussions around chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) became more prominent, I became fascinated with the long-term impact of repeated head trauma and how, despite years of competition and over 250 fights, I had never experienced a concussion. This contradiction sparked my curiosity in pathological vulnerabilities related to brain injury and their clinical correlates, especially those associated with old age.
At the time, I was working on a bachelor’s and master’s degree in rehabilitation psychology and mental health counseling, intending to work in clinical psychology. However, a course on the clinical implications of neurological diseases completely shifted my focus. After finishing my master’s degree and graduating Summa Cum Laude, I was determined to explore my research interests further and transitioned into research as a technician at the Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer’s Disease Center at Northwestern University. There, I worked on mouse models of TDP-43 proteinopathies, a key pathological feature in diseases like Limbic Predominant Age-Related TDP-43 Encephalopathy (LATE) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). This experience deepened my interest in aging-related dementias and introduced me to the broader research community tackling neurodegenerative disease.
Motivated to expand my expertise, I pursued my PhD at the University of Kentucky in the lab of Adam Bachstetter, PhD, where my research focused on dystrophic microglia in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. This work provided me with a solid foundation in neuroinflammation and the complex role of microglia in aging and disease progression. During this time, I receive the TRIAD T32 training grant, which supports trainees for research in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
Now, in Dr. Nelson’s lab, I continue to investigate age-related neurodegeneration, with a focus on characterizing disease-related changes in LATE-NC. My research integrates digital pathology tools with neuropathology, aiming to uncover novel mechanisms that drive the progression of neurodegenerative diseases. As a postdoctoral researcher, I am once again supported by the TRIAD T32 training grant, which has played a crucial role in furthering my ability to contribute to this important field.
I am incredibly grateful for the support and mentorship I have received at the University of Kentucky and look forward to continuing this exciting and meaningful research.