Natalia Palacios

Natalia Palacios is Assistant Professor at the University of Massachusetts and Lowell, and Visiting Scientist at Harvard University.   She is a leader in the field of gut-brain axis, and neurodegenerative disease, focusing on the role of the microbiome in Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease and Depression.  She is passionate about improving health of underserved populations, particularly Latinos.    Areas of focus in her group include:

1. The microbiome multi-omics, and brain health:  Dr. Palacios is leading several NIH  supported studies focused on the role of gut microbiome in Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease.  Recent work has shown that the microbiome of Parkinson’s patients may change many years prior to motor symptom onset, and that the microbiomes and metabolites of patients with poor cognitive health differ from healthy individuals.  Our ongoing studies on microbiome of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s integrate data on gut metagenomes, gut metabolites and serum metabolomes.
2. Health of US Veterans:    Dr. Palacios holds an active research appointment within the Department of Veterans Affairs.  Her group collaborates closely with colleagues at the US Department of Veterans Affairs to understand the epidemiology and risk factors for neurodegenerative disease in veterans.  Ongoing studies include modeling trends in AD prevalence and incidence in Veterans, trajectories of care among veterans with AD and the relationship between microbe and AD.
3. Latino Health:  Prof. Palacios is passionate about health of underserved populations, especially Latinos, and works closely with several Latino cohorts, including the Boston Puerto Rican Health Study and the Study of Latinos. Ongoing projects include studies of microbiome, metabolome, dietary, environmental, stress, and occupational risk factors, who the goal of better understand the disparities in health facing US Latinos.
4. Want to get involved?  We are looking for talented masters or doctoral students and post-doctoral associates.  Students with a strong background in data analytics (biostatistics, mathematics, computer science, bioinformatics), who are comfortable coding in R and/or Python are driven and independent learners and eager to master new tools and techniques are particularly encouraged to apply.  Please email natalia_palacios@uml.edu with your CV and cover letter.

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