Urayama Lab
Akihiko Urayama PhD – Associate Professor
Education & Training
PhD University of Shizuoka – Japan
Fellowship McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Center Houston – Houston, TX
Areas of Interest
Research interests: Blood Brain Barrier and Neurological disorders
Research
Dr. Urayama is interested in understanding the physiology of the BBB and neurovascular niche, and in utilizing the acquired knowledge to provide therapeutic solutions to manipulate pathological brain environments in diseases. His research focuses on receptor trafficking, macromolecule transport, and immune cell infiltration at the BBB in health and disease. His work addresses many issues that are important for CNS diseases, ranging from juvenile disorders such as lysosomal storage disease, to age–related neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease, and post-stroke cognitive impairment.
Kiersten Scott – GSBS Graduate Student Research Assistant
Education & Training
BS Neuroscience with minors in Biology, Biochemistry, and German, Baylor University – Waco, TX (2019)
PhD Neuroscience, MD Anderson UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences – Houston, TX (2022-present)
Areas of Interest
Research interests: translational research
Research
I first worked as a research technician in the lab of Michael Scullin Ph.D. in the Baylor University Sleep Neuroscience and Cognition (SNaC) Lab, where my work focused on human health and memory. Post-graduation, I pursued a research assistant position at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in the department of Symptom Research under Robert Dantzer D.V.M. Ph.D., where I studied Cancer-Related Fatigue. I am seeking my Ph.D. in Neuroscience at the University of Texas MD Anderson UTHealth GSBS, where I am receiving my training in the lab of Akihiko Urayama Ph.D. in the field of blood-brain barrier research. In my current position, I am investigating the cells of the cerebrovasculature in the contexts of aging, AD and Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy.
Hobbies & Interests
Playing board games, writing, and cycling
Research Assistants
Kimberly Anderson
Education & Training
BS Biochemistry, University of North Texas – Denton, TX (2021)
Vasi Kyriakopoulos
Education & Training
EMT Louisiana Bureau of EMS – Baton Rouge, LA (2022)
BS Neuroscience, Tulane University – New Orleans, LA (2022)
MS Neuroscience, Tulane University – New Orleans, LA (2023)