Juan R. Fernandez , BSc

Juan Fernandez is a University of Pittsburgh post-baccalaureate with a BSc in Biological Science. Juan gravitated towards studying neurodegenerative diseases after personal experience and realizing its immense impact on individuals, families, and society as a whole. Neurodegenerative diseases are complex neurological disorders that can rob individuals of their memories, cognitive abilities, and ultimately their identities. Witnessing the devastating effects of such diseases has fueled his passion to contribute towards finding a cure or effective treatments.

During his undergraduate years he worked under the leadership of Krishnaishis Chatterjee regarding research into developing nanotechnologies for cancer therapy and super-resolution microscopy. 

Juan is presently working on projects focused on understanding neurodegenerative disease causality and mechanism by way of expansion microscopy for enhanced tissue visualization: 

• Juan leads his own project which explores the role of the brain microbiome and Alzheimer’s Disease pathologies.

• He has collaborated with Vanesa Hyde in exploring the role of pathogenic infection in disease progression and understand the role of pathological hyperphosphorylated tau.

Juan aspires to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those affected by neurodegenerative diseases , and ultimately, work towards a future where neurodegeneration is no longer a daunting threat.