Our Trainees

Spotlight: Elika Moallem

My name is Elika Moallem, and I am a third-year graduate student in the department of neuroscience, working under the mentorship of Adam Bachstetter, PhD. My research focuses on the interrelationship between traumatic brain injury (TBI) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD), particularly how metabolic dysfunction after TBI contributes to neurodegeneration. I am passionate about exploring potential therapeutic interventions that target cerebral metabolism to improve long-term outcomes for individuals at risk of cognitive decline after a brain injury.

Spotlight: Atcharaporn Ontawong

My name is Atcharaporn Ontawong, and I am a second-year postdoctoral scholar at the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging under the mentorship of Anika Hartz, PhD. My journey with the Hartz lab began in 2018 when, as a PhD student from Thailand, I joined the group through a scholarship from Thailand's Research and Researcher for Industry program. This opportunity was facilitated by my PhD advisor, Dr. Chutima Vaddhanaphuti, who had established a strong professional relationship and friendship with Dr. Anika Hartz during their postdoctoral training at the NIH.

Spotlight: Blaine Weiss

My name is Blaine Weiss, and I am a graduate student in the department of pharmacology and nutritional sciences in the lab of Christopher Norris, PhD. Our group studies the role of astrocyte reactivity in contributing to the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. My family moved to Lexington from Tampa in 2003 and quickly fell in love with the natural beauty of Kentucky. I graduated from Tates Creek High School before beginning my undergraduate education at UK. I began my career at Sanders-Brown in 2015 and was hired as a technician upon graduation.