Brittany Larsen, Ph.D.

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My name is Brittany Larsen. Early in my career, I practiced as a Registered Dietitian. During my 2 1/2 years of practice, I was astounded by the sheer abundance of gaps in medical knowledge. This realization ignited a strong interest in an entirely new career trajectory: research. Consequently, I returned to graduate school in Health Promotion Sciences at the University of Connecticut. However, it was during this time that I took an introductory behavioral neuroscience course and quickly realized that my true research passion lay in neuroscience. Shortly thereafter, my grandmother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, which ignited my passion for Alzheimer's disease research. I subsequently pursued a Ph.D. in Neuroscience at Iowa State University in 2019, where I joined a laboratory that conducted research in the influences of metabolic dysfunction and obesity on brain function/structure and risk for Alzheimer's disease.

After graduating from my Ph.D. program in 2023, I completed my first postdoctoral fellowship at MD Anderson Cancer Center, where I conducted research on the neurobiology underlying nicotine and food addiction. However, it was during this position that I realized my greatest research passion remained in Alzheimer's disease. Consequently, I joined the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at University of Miami Miller School of Medicine as a postdoctoral scholar in January 2025. Specifically, I am a neuroscientist whose core research interests are in the investigation of novel biobehavioral solutions to reduce Alzheimer's disease risk, progression, and Alzheimer's-associated brain pathology. In addition, I am interested in utilizing digital biomarkers (predominantly neuroimaging approaches) to explore potential therapeutics to reduce the risk for Alzheimer's disease and Alzheimer's disease-related pathology. In spite of Alzheimer's disease being discovered in 1906 by Alois Alzheimer, there are still many unanswered questions about the disease as well as the mechanisms that underlie it. I aims to help change this through the power of research. Outside of research, some of my favorite personal hobbies include traveling and extreme sports, namely skydiving.

Experience

  • 2025–present
    Postdoctoral scholar, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
  • 2023–2024
    Postdoctoral research fellow, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
  • 2019–2023
    Graduate Research/Teaching Assistant, Iowa State University
  • 2022–2023
    Instructor of Record, Iowa State University
  • 2016–2019
    Instructor of Record, University of Connecticut
  • 2016–2019
    Graduate Research/Teaching Assistant II, University of Connecticut
  • 2014–2016
    Clinical Registered Dietitian I/II, Sodexo/Glendive Medical Center

Education

  • 2023 
    Iowa State University, Doctor of Philosophy / Neuroscience
  • 2019 
    University of Connecticut, Master of Science / Health Promotion Sciences
  • 2018 
    University of Connecticut, Graduate Certificate / Addiction Science
  • 2013 
    McNeese State University, Master of Science / Nutritional Sciences
  • 2012 
    South Dakota State University, Bachelor of Science / Dietetics

Publications

  • 2025
    A multi-stage feature selection method to improve classification of potential super-agers and cognitive decliners using structural brain MRI data-a UK biobank study, 10.1007/s11357-024-01458-9
  • 2024
    A machine learning approach for potential Super-Agers identification using neuronal functional connectivity networks, 10.1002/dad2.12595
  • 2024
    EEG might be better left alone, but ERPs must be attended to: Optimizing the late positive potential preprocessing pipeline, 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2024.112441
  • 2023
    Bioenergetic and vascular predictors of potential super-ager and cognitive decline trajectories-a UK Biobank Random Forest classification study, 10.1007/s11357-022-00657-6
  • 2023
    Adiposity and insulin resistance moderate the links between neuroelectrophysiology and working and episodic memory functions in young adult males but not females, 10.1016/j.physbeh.2023.114321
  • 2023
    Alzheimer's Disease Genetic Influences Impact the Associations between Diet and Resting-State Functional Connectivity: A Study from the UK Biobank, 10.3390/nu15153390 Full text linksCite
  • 2023
    Exploring the secrets of super-aging: a UK Biobank study on brain health and cognitive functio, 10.1007/s11357-023-00765-x
  • 2023
    Associations Between Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 and Resting-State Functional Connectivity in Cognitively Unimpaired Midlife Adults, 10.3233/JAD-220608
  • 2022
    Using machine learning to predict COVID-19 infection and severity risk among 4510 aged adults: a UK Biobank cohort study, 10.1038/s41598-022-07307-z
  • 2022
    Beer, wine, and spirits differentially influence body composition in older adults - a UK Biobank study, https://doi.org/10.1002/osp4.598
  • 2021
    APOE, TOMM40, and sex interactions on neural network connectivity, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2021.09.020
  • 2021
    Inflammation, negative affect, and amyloid burden in Alzheimer's disease: Insights from the kynurenine pathway, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbi.2021.03.019
  • 2020
    Walking in the Light: How History of Physical Activity, Sunlight, and Vitamin D Account for Body Fat-A UK Biobank Study, https://doi.org/10.1002/oby.22852
  • 2020
    CSF glucose tracks regional tau progression based on Alzheimer's disease risk factors, https://doi.org/10.1002/trc2.12080
  • 2020
    Genetic Factors of Alzheimer's Disease Modulate How Diet is Associated with Long-Term Cognitive Trajectories: A UK Biobank Study, https://doi.org/10.3233/JAD-201058
  • 2019
    Heightened olfactory dysfunction and oral irritation among chronic smokers and heightened propylthiouracil (PROP) bitterness among menthol smokers, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2018.12.017
  • 2019
    Modeling Associations between Chemosensation, Liking for Fats and Sweets, Dietary Behaviors and Body Mass Index in Chronic Smokers, https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11020271

Professional Memberships

  • Gamma Sigma Delta Honor Society
  • Society for Neuroscience
  • National Society of Collegiate Scholars Honor Society
  • National Society of Leadership and Success Honor Society
  • Phi Upsilon Omicron Honor Society
  • National Postdoctoral Association
  • Ames, IA Chapter of the Society for Neuroscience
  • American Academy of Sleep Medicine
  • Alzheimer's Association International Society to Advance Alzheimer's Research and Treatment

Contact Brittany for

  • General
  • Media request
  • Speaking request
  • Research collaboration