UT San Antonio
Office of Postdoctoral Affairs

Vanessa Young

Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Dr. Vanessa Young is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer's and Neurodegenerative Diseases at UT Health San Antonio, where she works under the mentorship of Dr. Sudha Seshadri. She is also a T32 Biology of Aging Postdoctoral Trainee at the Sam and Ann Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies. Her research examines how sleep, stress biology, and inflammatory aging converge to shape risk for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias in aging populations. Her work integrates sleep epidemiology, plasma AD biomarkers, and wearable-based digital health approaches, with a particular focus on diverse and underserved communities across South Texas and the border region.

In addition to her research, Dr. Young is committed to community outreach and science communication. She has led numerous community engagement events across San Antonio and the South Texas/Laredo border region, and serves as Communications Chair for the ISTAART Technology and Dementia Professional Interest Area. As a first-generation scholar, she is dedicated to expanding access and representation in aging and dementia research.

  • Professional Background

    Education

    • 2026 - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Translational Sciences - University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio
    • 2021 - Master of Science (MS) in Psychology - Arizona State University
    • 2018 - Bachelor of Arts (BA) - Oregon State University

    Honors

    • 2026-2027 - NIH Postdoctoral Fellowship T32 Biology of Aging
    • 2026 - Conference Fellowship, Alzheimer’s Association
    • 2026 - Outstanding PhD Student Research Award, UT Health San Antonio
    • 2025 - Student Government Association Grant, UT Health San Antonio
    • 2025 - Conference Fellowship, Alzheimer’s Association
    • 2024 - Behavioral and Social Sciences Student Travel Award, Gerontological Society of America
    • 2024 - Early Career Scholar Honorable Mention Award, American Aging Association
    • 2023 - Professor of Impact Award, Arizona State University
    • 2019 - Unsung Hero Award, American Red Cross

    Professional Memberships

    • 2021 - Present - ISTAAR, Alzheimer’s Association
    • 2023 - Present - Sleep Research Society
    • 2024 - Present - American Academy of Sleep Medicine
    • 2026 - Present - National Postdoctoral Association
  • Research
    • Sleep epidemiology and its associations with plasma biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease and neurodegeneration
    • Stress biology and inflammatory aging
    • Depression, anxiety, and affective symptoms as risk factors and correlates of cognitive decline
    • Wearable-based digital health and remote monitoring for aging and dementia populations
    • Health disparities in Alzheimer's disease and related dementias across diverse and underserved communities
  • Publications
    1. Young VM*, Wiedner C, Baril AA, Pase MP, Ruiz A, Salardini A, Frei CR, Kautz T, Bernal R, Yiallourou S, Cribb L, Beiser A, Teixeira AL, Himali JJ, Seshadri S. Non-linear associations between sleep duration and plasma p-tau181 in the Framingham Heart Study. Alzheimers Dement. 2026 May;22(5):e71499. doi: 10.1002/alz.71499. PMID: 42156936.
    2. Young VM*, Zeynoun J, Ruiz Laza A, Salardini A, Frei CR, Gaspard C, Kautz T, Macedo E Cordeiro T, Pase MP, Gelfond J, Himali JJ, Teixeira AL, Seshadri S, Baril AA. Association between sleep duration and fluid biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease: A systematic review. Sleep Med Rev. 2026 Apr;86:102242. doi: 10.1016/j.smrv.2026.102242. Epub 2026 Jan 23. PMID: 41610733.
    3. Young VM, Gates S, Garcia LY, Salardini A. Data Leakage in Deep Learning for Alzheimer's Disease Diagnosis: A Scoping Review of Methodological Rigor and Performance Inflation. Diagnostics (Basel). 2025 Sep 16;15(18):2348. doi: 10.3390/diagnostics15182348. PMID: 41008719; PMCID: PMC12468286.
    4. Santiago-Mejias S, Hromas G, LaRoche A, Gonzalez DA, Hilsabeck RC, Rascovsky K, Arango SM, Werry-McFarlin A, Satizabal CL, Trevino H, Goss M, Bosque JD, Seidl A, Garcia R, Valdez MS, Velarde A, Zapata J, Gates S, Hernandez P, Toranzo J, Ayvar MU, Cisneros DG, Young VM, Seshadri S, Sullivan AC. Addressing language challenges in bilingual neuropsychological assessments at the South Texas Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (ADRC). Alzheimers Dement. 2025 Oct;21(10):e70800. doi: 10.1002/alz.70800. PMID: 41103128; PMCID: PMC12531422.
    5. Mathews JJ, Mulavelil R, Rodrigues N, Kautz TF, Cosgrove K, Wang CP, MacCarthy D, Fernandez RA, Gothard S, Sharma N, Serranorubio L, Young VM, Miller L, Seshadri S, Kaye J, Beattie ZT, Gonzales MM. Feasibility and acceptability of an in-home digital device health and activity assessment platform in a diverse South Texas cohort: a pilot study. Front Digit Health. 2025 Sep 1;7:1603062. doi: 10.3389/fdgth.2025.1603062. PMID: 40958977; PMCID: PMC12434754.
    6. Salardini A, Himali JJ, Abdullah MS, Chaudhari R, Young V, Zilli EM, McGrath ER, Gonzales MM, Thibault EG, Salinas J, Aparicio HJ, Himali D, Ghosh S, Buckley RF, Satizabal CL, Johnson KA, DeCarli C, Fakhri GE, Vasan RS, Beiser AS, Seshadri S. Elevated serum cortisol associated with early-detected increase of brain amyloid deposition in Alzheimer's disease imaging biomarkers among menopausal women: The Framingham Heart Study. Alzheimers Dement. 2025 Apr;21(4):e70179. doi: 10.1002/alz.70179. PMID: 40271551; PMCID: PMC12019305.
    7. Young VM*, Bernal R, Baril AA, Zeynoun J, Wiedner C, Gaona C, Beiser A, Teixeira AL, Salardini A, Pase MP, Himali JJ, Seshadri S. Long sleep duration, cognitive performance, and the moderating role of depression: A cross-sectional analysis in the Framingham Heart Study. Alzheimers Dement. 2025 Apr;21(4):e70160. doi: 10.1002/alz.70160. PMID: 40257009; PMCID: PMC12010301.
    8. Young VM*. Can Pharmaceutical Care Interventions Improve the Appropriate Use of Polypharmacy in Older Adults?-A Cochrane Review Summary With Commentary. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2024 Dec 1;103(12):1142-1144. doi: 10.1097/PHM.0000000000002647. Epub 2024 Sep 25. PMID: 39331481.
    9. Young VM*, Bernal R, Pollet E, Serrano-Rubio L, Gaona C, Himali JJ, Seshadri S, González DA, Gonzales MM. Deep Sleep, Olfactory Loss, and Cognition in Early-stage Parkinson's Disease: Pilot Study Results. Gerontol Geriatr Med. 2024 Jun 24;10:23337214241262925. doi: 10.1177/23337214241262925. PMID: 39045212; PMCID: PMC11265233.

    10. Young VM*. Are polyunsaturated fatty acids effective for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents? A Cochrane Review summary with commentary. Dev Med Child Neurol. 2024 May;66(5):551-553. doi: 10.1111/dmcn.15888. Epub 2024 Feb 20. PMID: 38379357.

    11. Young VM*. Are stimulant and non-stimulant drugs effective and safe for treating ADHD co-occurring with epilepsy in children? A Cochrane Review summary with commentary. Dev Med Child Neurol. 2023 Jul;65(7):867-869. doi: 10.1111/dmcn.15621. Epub 2023 Apr 15. PMID: 37060581.

    12. Liguori S, Young VM, Arienti C, Pollini E, Patrini M, Gimigliano F, Negrini S, Kiekens C. Overview of Cochrane systematic reviews for rehabilitation interventions in individuals with cerebral palsy: A mapping synthesis. Dev Med Child Neurol. 2023 Oct;65(10):1280-1291. doi: 10.1111/dmcn.15572. Epub 2023 Mar 12. PMID: 36908077.

    13. Cordani C, Young VM, Arienti C, Lazzarini SG, Del Furia MJ, Negrini S, Kiekens C. Cognitive impairment, anxiety and depression: a map of Cochrane evidence relevant to rehabilitation for people with post COVID-19 condition. Eur J Phys Rehabil Med. 2022 Dec;58(6):880-887. doi: 10.23736/S1973-9087.22.07813-3. Epub 2022 Dec 19. PMID: 36534008; PMCID: PMC10153550.

    14. Young VM*. How effective and safe are non-drug treatments for spatial neglect following non-progressive brain injury? A Cochrane Review summary with commentary. NeuroRehabilitation. 2022;51(2):347-350. doi: 10.3233/NRE-228022. PMID: 35723122.

    15. Gimigliano F, Young VM, Arienti C, Bargeri S, Castellini G, Gianola S, Lazzarini SG, Moretti A, Heinemann AW, Negrini S. The Effectiveness of Behavioral Interventions in Adults with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder during Clinical Rehabilitation: A Rapid Review. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Jun 19;19(12):7514. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19127514. PMID: 35742762; PMCID: PMC9224304.

    16. Kiekens C, Young VM. Can Walking Lower Blood Pressure in Adults?: A Cochrane Review Summary With Commentary. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2022 Nov 1;101(11):1083-1085. doi: 10.1097/PHM.0000000000002047. Epub 2022 May 12. PMID: 35583449.

    17. Young VM, Hill JR, Patrini M, Negrini S, Arienti C. Overview of Cochrane Systematic Reviews of Rehabilitation Interventions for Persons with Traumatic Brain Injury: A Mapping Synthesis. J Clin Med. 2022 May 10;11(10):2691. doi: 10.3390/jcm11102691. PMID: 35628818; PMCID: PMC9147293.

    18. Kiekens C, Young VM. How effective and safe are current interventions for sexual dysfunction following stroke? A Cochrane Review summary with commentary. NeuroRehabilitation. 2022;50(3):343-345. doi: 10.3233/NRE-228017. PMID: 35342059.

    19. Jorgensen-Wagers K, Young V, Collins D, Chavez B, Lenski D, Khokhar B. Brain Injury: What Influences the Beliefs U.S. Service Members Have About Reporting and Seeking Care? Mil Med. 2021 Jan 25;186(Suppl 1):546-551. doi: 10.1093/milmed/usaa410. PMID: 33499505.

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