Dr. Ana Daugherty has been appointed as the new director of the Institute of Gerontology at Wayne State University’s Division of Research & Innovation, marking a significant milestone in the institute’s mission to advance the understanding of aging processes through interdisciplinary research. This transition comes as Dr. Peter Lichtenberg steps down after an impactful 25-year leadership, leaving behind a legacy of academic excellence and community engagement.
Daugherty’s academic background uniquely positions her to lead this premier hub of aging research. As a cognitive neuroscientist specializing in the study of aging, Alzheimer’s disease, and related dementias, she brings a deep understanding of the neural mechanisms underpinning cognitive decline and resilience in later life. Holding a joint appointment in the Department of Psychology and the Institute of Gerontology, her research bridges both behavioral and neurological perspectives, enabling a holistic approach to aging science.
Her career trajectory has been closely intertwined with Wayne State University and the Institute of Gerontology. Earning her doctorate in psychology and cognitive neuroscience from Wayne State, Daugherty benefited early in her career from an NIA T32 training grant, reflecting a sustained commitment from national institutions to her scientific development. Further honing her expertise, she completed a competitive postdoctoral fellowship at the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign before joining Wayne State’s faculty in 2018.
Daugherty leads several pivotal research programs that contribute crucial insights into aging and neurodegenerative pathology. Notably, she serves as the site principal investigator for the NIH-funded Michigan Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, a program central to advancing biomarker discovery and therapeutic strategies. Moreover, her active participation in the international Hippocampal Subfields working group demonstrates her dedication to the standardization and validation of MRI biomarkers, which are critical tools for non-invasive assessment of early neurodegenerative changes.
Among her flagship projects is the Detroit Aging Brain Study, a longitudinal, community-partnered research initiative that has collected rich datasets on brain structure and cognitive function across over two decades. This study’s design emphasizes the importance of urban, diverse populations, addressing a critical gap in neuroscientific research by exploring how social determinants and biological mechanisms converge to influence aging trajectories in metropolitan environments.
Daugherty’s scholarly excellence is recognized not only through awards from the National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center and the American Federation for Aging Research but also via outstanding teaching accolades from Wayne State’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Her mentorship of postdoctoral researchers has similarly received institutional praise, reflecting a commitment to fostering the next generation of scientists in aging research.
The Institute of Gerontology, under Daugherty’s stewardship, remains dedicated to intensive investigation across social, behavioral, and cognitive neuroscience domains, with a particular emphasis on urban health and aging disparities. Her vision includes facilitating interdisciplinary collaboration to integrate diverse methodological approaches and datasets, thereby enriching the scientific inquiry into age-related risks and resilience factors.
As director, Daugherty will guide the Institute in expanding advanced training programs tailored for emerging scholars while stewarding an institutional portfolio focused on the multifaceted dimensions of aging and dementia. By integrating community-based research with cutting-edge neuroimaging and biomarker analytics, her leadership aims to decode the complexity of cognitive aging and develop strategies to mitigate disparities that disproportionately affect vulnerable populations.
Her research agenda also prioritizes characterizing individual differences in brain and cognitive aging across the adult lifespan. The knowledge generated will not only deepen scientific understanding but also inform public health interventions designed to enhance cognitive health and quality of life for older adults. This integrative approach aligns with broader public health goals of promoting healthy aging within diverse urban settings.
The appointment has been met with enthusiasm by Wayne State’s research leadership. Dr. Ezemenari M. Obasi, vice president for research & innovation, underscored the pivotal role Daugherty will play in elevating the Institute’s national and international stature as a center for groundbreaking, cross-disciplinary research on aging. This leadership transition is seen as a vital moment to sustain and grow initiatives that combine scientific rigor with real-world impact.
Looking forward, under Dr. Daugherty’s direction, the Institute of Gerontology aspires to not only advance discovery but also empower older adults and professionals through education and community outreach. Supporting healthy aging and dementia care through evidence-based practices remains a cornerstone of the institute’s expansive mission and societal commitments.
The scope and depth of ongoing research, coupled with training and outreach activities, underscore Wayne State University’s position as a leader in urban gerontology research. Dr. Daugherty’s directorship promises to strengthen these efforts, inspiring innovative explorations into the biological, psychological, and social complexities of aging that will inform policy and practice for years to come.
Her appointment represents a convergence of rigorous scientific inquiry, academic mentorship, and community engagement, reinforcing the Institute of Gerontology’s role as a vital nexus where research translates into meaningful improvements in late-life cognitive health and quality of life.
Subject of Research: Cognitive neuroscience of aging, Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, brain aging, MRI biomarker harmonization, urban aging health disparities
Article Title: Dr. Ana Daugherty Named Director of Wayne State University’s Institute of Gerontology
News Publication Date: Not specified in the content
Web References: https://research.wayne.edu
Image Credits: Wayne State University
Keywords: Gerontology, Aging populations, Geriatrics, Older adults
