McKnight Brain Institute Researchers

Meet some of our McKnight Brain Institute researchers who are conducting scientific research to help better understand and alleviate the effects of age-related cognitive decline and memory loss.

With McKnight Brain Institutes established at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, University of Arizona, University of Florida and University of Miami, the McKnight Brain Research Foundation works to foster cross-discipline, productive collaboration among top brain health scientists from across the country.

Meet the Researchers


Researcher Spotlight

Dr. Sara Burke

University of Florida McKnight Brain Institute

Dr. Burke is Associate Professor of Neuroscience and Associate Director of the Cognitive Aging and Memory Center (CAM) at the University of Florida College of Medicine. With the end goal of developing a playbook to help people age successfully, Dr. Burke’s research focuses on investigating mechanisms of cognition and determining how diet and metabolic function can increase resilience to memory loss in aging and disease. To answer these questions, her lab integrates data across multiple levels of analysis, including neurophysiology, gene expression, anatomy and behavioral assays. 


Dr. Aprinda Indahlastari

University of Florida McKnight Brain Institute

Dr. Indahlastari is an up-and-coming neuroscience researcher at the University of Florida. Her research focuses on a technique aimed at improving cognitive function in older adults that involves using a noninvasive form of brain stimulation paired with cognitive training.

Dr. Adam Gerstenecker

University of Alabama at Birmingham McKnight Brain Institute
Adam Gerstenecker, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the Department of Neurology at UAB was recently presented with the National Academy of Neuropsychology’s early career award. The award is given to those who have made “substantial scholarly contributions to the field of neuropsychology within 10 years of receiving their doctoral degree.” With 42 publications published or in press as well as seven book chapters, primarily looking at changes in functional cognitive ability in Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and atypical Parkinsonism, Dr. Gerstenecker received the award in half that time. He earned his doctorate from the University of Louisville in 2014 and then joined UAB as a fellow.

Recent Research


Join us in our research

Advocating for new research helps us understand age-related cognitive decline and memory loss to help people like you age successfully.

Learn More