Lab Members

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.

Michael Butler, Ph.D. (Research Scientist)  

I grew up in Florida and received my B.S. from Florida State University in 2013. I remained at FSU for my graduate training and received my PhD in neuroscience in 2019 in the fields of ingestive behavior (food intake/energy balance) and neuroendocrinology. Toward the end of my graduate training I worked on a project investigating the impact of estrogens on microglial responses to a high fat diet. Shortly after starting that project, I became fascinated by glial cells and brain-immune system communications and how nutrition and other modifiable risk factors can impact brain health and function. In 2019, I began my postdoctoral research at The Ohio State University in the Barrientos lab studying the role of diet and nutrition on neuroimmune signaling and memory impairment in aged rats, with an initial focus on microglia. At the beginning of 2023, I transitioned into a Research Scientist position in the Barrientos lab and am currently leading several projects looking at the role of peripheral immune cells, specifically T cells, in mediating diet-induced neuroinflammation and memory deficits in rodent models of both aging and Alzheimer’s disease. Outside of work, I enjoy rock climbing, hiking, running, camping, and spending time with family and friends.

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.

Jade Blackwell, M.S. (Ph.D. Candidate, MCDB)

Jade is a PhD Candidate in the Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology program here at Ohio State. She is originally from England, but has been in the United States for 10 years now! Ever since anatomy and physiology class in high school, Jade has been fascinated by the human body and how it adapts in response to different stimuli, in particular exercise. This led to an undergraduate career as a student-athlete at St. Ambrose University, Iowa, where science and soccer drove her educational endeavors off the field as she earned Bachelor degrees in Exercise Science & Psychology. Here is where Jade found her intrigue for research and the scientific method as she had the opportunity to design a senior thesis that assessed cardiorespiratory fitness under different environmental conditions. During this time, personal experiences changed Jade’s research trajectory and she found herself wanting to make a difference in neurodegenerative research. Jade combined her personal and professional passions and earned at M.A. in Exercise Physiology from the UNC-Chapel Hill (Go Heels!). Her research here looked at the effects of sedentary behavior on cerebrovascular function. The techniques learned here laid the foundation for Jade’s doctoral work, which began at the University of Arizona (#beardown) where she explored the effects of menopause on the cerebral microcirculation in the presence and absence of Alzheimer’s disease in a mouse model, with a focus on elucidating the role of ion channels present in arteriolar endothelial cells in control of localized increases in local perfusion induced by neuronal activity. This work is an example of Jade’s goal to have an impact on the world of neurodegenerative diseases and also in the Barrientos Lab as she works to determine the role of CRMP3 as a potential target for ameliorating dystrophic dendrites and cognitive deficits in a mouse model of AD.

Sabrina Mackey-Alfonso, M.S. (Ph.D. Candidate, NGP/MSTP)

Hi! I am an MD/PhD student here at OSU. I am originally from Cocoa Beach, Florida and received my Bachelor of Science degree in Neuroscience with a minor in Visual Arts from Johns Hopkins University. Since the senior year of high school I have been interested in Alzheimer’s Disease. I knew from that moment I was going to get my PhD in neuroscience with a focus on AD, and here I am doing exactly that! My project in the Barrientos Lab is on the effect of CRMP3, a gene that has been shown to regulate synaptic plasticity and spine growth in the hippocampus, on cognitive decline and the progression of Alzheimer’s Disease. My love for the MD came in college when I learned of the potential for translational research and for discovering new avenues from observing the disease process in patients. My interest has grown exponentially since starting medical school. I have come to fall in love with the art of medicine. Continuing my advocacy work from undergrad, I work to improve the medical education on caring for survivors of sexual assault and Intimate Partner Violence. In my free time I like to check out new breweries and happy hours with my friends, host wine and paint nights, sing with UltraSound A Cappella, Autocross with the Autocross Club at the Ohio State University, cook, and cuddle my adorable kitten Jiji (named after one of my favorite movies, Kiki’s Delivery Service).

Jefferson Jantsch (Visiting Scholar)

I am a Brazilian PhD student currently conducting part of my research at the Barrientos Lab! I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Sciences and am pursuing a PhD in Biosciences with a focus on cellular and molecular neurobiology. From the very beginning of my undergraduate studies, I aspired to become a professor, which led me to start a research internship in my first semester and seamlessly transition into a PhD program after graduation. Over the past nine years, my research has concentrated on understanding how obesity and ultra-processed diets impact the brain, alongside exploring nutritional interventions to mitigate these effects. My PhD research specifically examines how obesity affects the aging brain and investigates whether caloric restriction can offer neuroprotection in this context. In addition to my research, I have been actively involved in teaching biochemistry, biophysics, and physiology—three fundamental areas of the health sciences. I am passionate about the potential of science and education to improve lives. In my free time, I enjoy reading, watching TV, and exploring different places in search of the perfect cookie. I also occasionally exercise, though more out of obligation than enthusiasm!

Lauren Taylor (PREP Scholar)

Hi! My name is Lauren and I am a post-baccalaureate scholar here at Ohio State. I grew up in Columbus and graduated from Ohio State in May 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a minor in Global Public Health. My experiences with and interest in neuroscience began at a young age when I was diagnosed with epilepsy. This interest fully blossomed, however, when I enrolled in a neuroscience class as part of my undergraduate studies. Since then, I have been devoted to pursuing a career in neuroscience research. Some of my research interests include inherited neurological disorders, translational science, and gene therapy interventions. During my undergraduate training, I researched in the Center for Gene Therapy at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, where I gained valuable experience studying AAV-mediated gene therapies for neuromuscular disorders. I am now thrilled to be applying to neuroscience graduate programs while continuing to enhance my knowledge and skills in the Barrientos Lab. In my free time, I love spending time with family and friends, traveling, being in nature, and watching true-crime documentaries with my pup Teddy.

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Haanya Ijaz (Undergraduate Research Assistant)

Hello! My name is Haanya Ijaz, and I am currently an undergraduate in the Neuroscience program. I’ve been passionate about neuroscience and the brain since high school, so I’m excited to be able to delve further into my passions by being a part of the Barrientos Lab team! Some of my particular interests include memory, which is why I was particularly drawn to the focus on neuroimmunology and its ties with memory. I am currently on the pre-med track, but am highly interested in pursuing research or possibly an MD-PhD. I am excited to continue to work in the lab and gain knowledge and experience!

Barrientos Lab Alumni

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.

Tam Quach, Ph.D.

Years in Lab: 2019-2023

Position in Lab: Senior Scientist

Where’d they go next? Research Scientist Ohio State

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.