People

Dr. Ted Wilson is the Provost’s Assistant Professor of Neuroimmunology and Brain Science in the Department of Neuroscience at Brown University and a member of the Brown Center for Alzheimer’s Disease Research. His research asks why some brains remain resilient in the face of Alzheimer’s disease and related neurodegenerative disorders—and how that biology can be translated into earlier diagnosis and more effective treatment.

The Wilson Lab combines molecular and cellular neuroscience, human cohorts, proteomics, and biomarker development to understand the mechanisms that shape vulnerability and resilience during aging and neurodegeneration. A central focus of the lab is the neuroimmune axis: identifying how brain immune cells, metabolic state, and synaptic health influence disease progression, and uncovering biological pathways that may be targeted to protect the brain.

Dr. Wilson’s team also develops blood-based biomarker approaches designed to capture the biological heterogeneity of neurodegenerative disease. Rather than treating neurodegenerative disease as a single process, the lab aims to define individualized molecular signatures that can improve patient selection for clinical trials, monitor therapeutic response, and ultimately support more precise and personalized care. This work includes efforts to identify biomarkers of synaptic integrity and early disease-related change, before substantial cognitive decline.

Dr. Wilson received his PhD in Neuroscience from McGill University and completed postdoctoral training at Stanford University, where he developed expertise in neuroinflammation, aging, resilience to neurodegenerative pathology, and translational biomarker research. At Brown, he is building an interdisciplinary research program that bridges fundamental disease mechanisms with diagnostic and therapeutic development.

Justin Mendiola received his Bachelor’s of Science in Biological Sciences from California State University, Fullerton in 2023. He was then selected to participate as a California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) Research Scholar. He has completed research in the laboratory of Prof. Vittorio Sebastiano, at Stanford’s Institute for Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine. In the lab, Justin’s research is focused on determining rates of various biomarker changes in Alzheimer’s disease and developing cutting edge diagnostic assays. Outside the lab, Justin enjoys cooking and exploring Rhode Island.

Nola is a PhD student in the Pathobiology program at Brown University. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Cornell College and her Master of Science for Pathology and Laboratory Medicine from Boston University. She worked as a research technician, then lab manager, for the Boston Medical Center Laboratory and Biorepository Research Service for 3 years before enrolling at Brown. She joined the Wilson lab in March 2026, where she is studying synaptic resilience in the context of Alzheimer’s disease. Outside of lab, Nola enjoys sewing, watching old movies, and curating playlists.

Bao is a PhD student in the Neuroscience Graduate Program at Brown University. He received his Engineer’s degree in Biomedical Engineering from International University, Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City. His research experience spans point-of-care diagnostics and molecular profiling of Alzheimer’s disease, including research internships at Academia Sinica (Taiwan) and the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (Singapore). He joined the Wilson Lab in August 2026, where he is interested in understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative diseases, with a particular focus on developing novel proteomic biomarkers and biosensors. Outside of the lab, Bao enjoys reading fiction, learning new languages, and exploring new foods, especially when they offer an excuse to discover a new place.

Tyler is a PhD student in the Brown-NIH Neuroscience Graduate Partnership Program at Brown University. He completed his undergraduate studies in biology and computer science at UMass Boston and Oregon State University. During his postbaccalaureate training, he worked with Ryan Dale, M.S., Ph.D., in the Bioinformatics and Scientific Programming Core at the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. There, he developed an interest in neuroscience while investigating biomarkers of Niemann-Pick disease type C, a rare pediatric neurodegenerative disorder. In the Wilson Lab, Tyler applies proteomic approaches to identify blood-based markers that may predict early synaptic vulnerability and presymptomatic disease progression in Alzheimer’s disease cohorts. Outside of the lab, Tyler enjoys long-distance hiking. He is pictured here during his 2026 Pacific Crest Trail hike.

Sophie received her Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Biochemistry from Vassar College in 2023. After working as a hospital assistant at a small animal clinic in her hometown of McLean, Virginia, where she explored her interest in veterinary medicine, Sophie began working as a research assistant in the Department of Neuroscience at Brown in February of 2025 studying axonal development as well as neuron-glia interactions. She joined the Wilson lab in February 2026, where she is exploring the cellular and biological underpinnings of Alzheimer’s disease. Outside of lab, Sophie enjoys reading books and thrifting.

Bella Russo is a senior at Stanford University. She is majoring in Biology with a concentration in Neuroscience, and also earning a minor in Spanish. She has been working in the Wilson lab since October 2024, and was supported by the NeURO program at Stanford during Summer 2025. Bella’s research is focused on validating synaptic proteins as blood biomarkers sensitive to Alzheimer’s disease progression. Outside of the lab, Bella competes for the Stanford Polo team and Stanford Equestrian team, and also serves as a Residential Advisor for Pi Beta Phi.

Tristan Wu is a rising sophomore at Brown University from Hong Kong, exploring concentrations in Biochemistry or Biomedical Engineering, with a strong interest in medicine and neuroscience. He joined the Lab in March 2026. Tristan is testing the hypothesis that modulating astrocyte reactivity is a strategy to preserve neuronal function using transgenic mouse models of neurodegeneration. Outside the lab, Tristan enjoys playing volleyball, cooking, and watching TV shows.

Cal Dearborn is an incoming sophomore at Brown University interested in neurodegeneration and acquired brain injuries. He plans to concentrate in Computational Neuroscience. He joined the Wilson lab in March 2026. In the lab, Cal is building models to capture the evolving multiple pathologies present in neurodegeneration. Outside the lab, Cal enjoys playing basketball, watching Jeopardy!, and reading Latin literature.

Hugo is the lab’s newest junior investigator. His research interests include synaptic enrichment, acorn surveillance, and improving team morale through enthusiastically timed naps.