Dr. Ruth M. Barrientos, Ph.D. (PI)
Associate Professor
Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research
Departments of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, and Neuroscience
Dr. Barrientos grew up in the Washington, DC area. She completed her B.S. in Psychology at George Mason University in Fairfax, VA. She then trained jointly with Dr. Larry Rothblat in the area of behavioral neuroscience at the George Washington University in Washington, DC, and Dr. Esther Sternberg in the area of neuroimmunology at the National Institute of Mental Health in Bethesda, MD to earn her Ph.D. She then completed her post-doctoral training at the University of Colorado Boulder under the mentorship of Dr. Steven Maier and Dr. Jerry Rudy where she honed her research expertise in the area of behavioral neuroimmunology with an emphasis on the aging brain. Dr. Barrientos then transitioned into a Research Assistant Professor position and was later promoted to Research Associate Professor at CU Boulder before being recruited to The Ohio State University. She is now Associate Professor (with tenure) in the Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research and the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health in the College of Medicine. She is also a faculty member of the Chronic Brain Injury Program. Her research aims 1) to uncover the vulnerabilities associated with the aging brain that makes it more susceptible to inflammatory challenges resulting in memory dysfunctions ranging from mild cognitive impairments to Alzheimer’s Disease; and 2) to discover interventions to improve these vulnerabilities and prevent memory degradation. For fun, Dr. Barrientos enjoys spending time with her family, and being outdoors running, hiking, biking, camping, and star gazing.
Bryan Alvarez, B.S. (Ph.D. Candidate, NGP)
I received my A.A. from community college and then my B.A. from California State University in biological psychology. I am broadly interested in learning, decision making, and memory. Specifically, the underlying glia mechanisms that mediate cognitive deficits in neuropsychiatric disorders & diseases, along with the longitudinal progression of pathology. After my PhD, I am leaning towards an equal mix of teaching & research within academia, while finding my own niche in scientific communication. In my free time, I enjoy talking to my pup, playing table-top games, reading manga, and regretting being an extroverted-introvert.
Allegra Tannoury (Undergraduate Research Assistant)
Hi! I am an undergraduate here at OSU studying Molecular Genetics with a minor in Integrative Approaches to Health and Wellness. I am on the pre-med track and planning to attend medical school following graduation. My initial interest in joining the Barrientos Lab stems from learning about behavioral and preventative medicine, specifically relating to longevity. After joining the Barrientos lab, I’m excited to explore how neuroimmunology plays a role in aging and ways we can prevent memory degradation. On campus, I am part of the Leadership Council for Health Sciences Scholars and a Specialty Clinics lead at the Columbus Free Clinic. I also enjoy playing flute in the Collegiate Winds, attending group fitness classes, and pickleball with friends.
Jayden Milligan (Undergraduate Research Assistant)
Hi, I am Jayden Milligan, a fourth-year Neuroscience major on the pre-med track. My interest in the brain stems from my experiences with epilepsy as a child, which inspired my desire to better understand brain disorders and the mechanisms that influence brain health. This curiosity led me to join the Barrientos Lab, where I have been able to explore neuroinflammatory processes and other mechanisms involved in maintaining cognitive health. Being part of this lab has allowed me to turn my desires into reality, as I have learned so much since joining. On campus, I am a member of the Aspire Medical Research Program (2025 cohort) and serve within the Community Relations organization under the Greater Undergraduate Black Caucus. In my free time, I enjoy running, playing volleyball, solving puzzles, and playing card games with friends.
Navya Garg (Undergraduate Research Assistant)
Hi! My name is Navya Garg, and I am a first-year Stamps Eminence Scholar majoring in Medical Anthropology. I have always been interested in the systems that form memories, preserving cognitive health, and exploring methods that can improve resilience of the aging brain. Joining the Barrientos Lab has given me the opportunity to learn more about memory and the mechanisms behind it. In my free time, I enjoy playing the violin with the Buckeye Philharmonic Orchestra, playing pickleball with my friends, and spending time with my family!
Prisha Parekh (Undergraduate Research Assistant)
Hello! My name is Prisha Parekh and I am an undergraduate pursuing a degree in Neuroscience on a pre-med track! I’ve been interested in the brain and memory since high school, which led me to join the Barrientos Lab. I was drawn to the lab’s focus on memory, and I’m excited to learn more about how different factors can affect cognitive function. I’m considering a future in medicine or research, possibly through an MD-PhD program. I look forward to gaining more experience and contributing to the lab’s work. On campus, I volunteer at the Wexner Medical center, am a part of the biological sciences scholars program, and in BRAIN club. During my personal time I enjoy doing crafts, going to the gym, and spending the with friends and family.
Zoha Khan (Undergraduate Research Assistant)
Barrientos Lab Alumni
Hanna Ijaz, B.S.
Lauren Taylor, B.S.
Sabrina E. Mackey-Alfonso, Ph.D.
Jade A. Blackwell, Ph.D.
Jefferson Jantsch, B.S.
Emmanuel “Gus” Scaria, B.S.
Andrew Sanchez, B.S.
James DeMarsh, B.S.
Stephanie Muscat, Ph.D.
Daniela Jimenez-Harrison, Ph.D.
Brigitte González Olmo, Ph.D.
Ashton Taylor, B.S.
Albert Williams-Medina, B.S.
Miriam Akomeah, B.S.
Mitchell Foster, B.S.
Nashali Massa, B.S.
Debbie Olagbenro, B.S.
Marissa Ruzga, B.S.
Kendall Theil, B.S.
Nick Hackstedde, B.S.