Ali Ezzati, MD

Associate Professor of Neurology

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I am a Physician-Scientist with research expertise is in Clinical Informatics, Data-Science, and neuroepidemiology. My research interest is in using predictive analytics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning techniques to leverage ‘Large Biomedical Data’, including neuroimaging, “omics”, and digital and biological biomarkers to improve research design and clinical outcomes in Alzheimer’s and Dementia, as well as migraine.

Elham Ghanbarian, MD, PhD

Project Scientist

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I am an MD with a PhD in cognitive neuroscience, currently focused on biomarkers in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). During my PhD and postdoctoral training, I conducted longitudinal studies in animal models to examine neural and cognitive changes from young adulthood through aging. My research explored the neural mechanisms underlying learning and memory, cognitive reserve, early life adversity, and hippocampal synaptic plasticity across the lifespan. Motivated to apply my neuroscience expertise in a more clinically meaningful context, I transitioned into clinical neurology research, where I now work with human data to study aging and Alzheimer’s disease. My current focus is on understanding the biological mechanisms and temporal dynamics of AD pathologies as reflected in various biomarkers and evaluating their prognostic value for cognitive outcomes. I have developed expertise in working with large, multimodal datasets that integrate clinical, cognitive, imaging, and fluid biomarker data, as well as in applying advanced statistical and machine learning methods to uncover meaningful patterns and associations. My long-term goal is to lead an independent research program that bridges basic and clinical neuroscience, with a focus on biomarker discovery and the biological underpinnings of cognitive reserve and resilience throughout the lifespan—an area that builds directly on my earlier foundational work in experimental models. Outside of the lab, I enjoy spending time with my family, being outdoors, biking, reading, and staying active.

Babak Khorsand, PhD

Postdoctoral Fellow

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I am currently a Senior Postdoctoral Researcher specializing in Neuroinformatics at Dr. Ezzati’s lab within the Department of Neurology at the University of California, Irvine (UCI). My academic background includes a Ph.D. in Bioinformatics, a Master’s degree in Information Technology, and a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Software Engineering. My expertise encompasses data science, with a focus on bioinformatics, machine learning, biological network analysis, and multiomics techniques. My current research focuses on modeling longitudinal cognitive changes in Alzheimer’s disease patients and developing predictive models for early detection and disease progression monitoring.

Lukai Zheng, PhD

Postdoctoral Fellow

I grew up in China and studied medicine at West China School of Medicine, Sichuan University. I completed a master’s in Neurology at the same university (2020), with a focus on hemorrhagic transformation after ischemic stroke. I recently obtained my PhD at the University of Munich, where my dissertation centered on modeling tau pathology progression in Alzheimer’s disease using PET imaging and brain transcriptomics. At the Ezzati Lab, I will be pursuing postdoctoral work on tau-PET imaging and longitudinal cognitive changes in AD. In my free time, I enjoys tea, traveling, and CRPG games.

Devin Teichrow, MS

Assistant Specialist

I grew up in the greater Los Angeles area and studied psychology at UC Davis for my undergrad where I researched personality development, as well as dementia and diabetes prevention. I completed my MS in Epidemiology at UCLA where my thesis focused on the impact of in-utero ultrafine particulate matter exposure from jets going in and out of LAX on cerebral palsy and epilepsy. At the Ezzati Lab I work on neuroepidemiology studies primarily in migraine and headache. I also run a science communication blog called The Edge of Epidemiology.

Adalmina Sarkar

Undergraduate Researcher

I am an undergraduate student at the University of California, Irvine, pursuing pre-medical studies. My academic interests lie at the intersection of biological sciences, neuroscience, mathematics, and statistics. I am particularly fascinated by predictive modeling and its potential impact on healthcare. My current research focuses on studying the effects of neuropsychiatric conditions, such as depression, anxiety, and stress, on disabilities caused by migraine headaches. The project hypothesizes that patients with more neuropsychiatric complaints may experience greater migraine-related disabilities. Outside the lab, I enjoy reading, spending time with friends and family, volunteering at UCI Health, designing and sewing my own clothes, and playing the cello in the UCI Symphony Orchestra.

Erin Jun

Undergraduate Researcher

I am a Biological Sciences major at the University of California, Irvine, on the pre-medical track with the goal of becoming a neurologist. My current research focuses on replicating and extending findings from the American Migraine Prevalence and Prevention (AMPP) Study, with a particular emphasis on how sex differences and medication differences affect the severity and disability burden of migraine. Using statistical modeling tools like SPSS, I will analyze population-based survey data to better understand how these factors interact in shaping migraine outcomes. As a Korean American who spent time in Korea before returning to the U.S. for college, I’m especially interested in how cultural and demographic factors influence health outcomes and healthcare experiences. Outside of the lab, I enjoy discovering new restaurants, going cafe hopping, and participating in my church’s praise team.

Kellen K. Petersen, PhD.

Currently at Washington University at St. Louis

Bhargav T. Nallapu, PhD

Currently at Department of Cognitive Robotics, TU Delft 

Idris Demirsoy, PhD

Elvis Han Cui, PhD