CHARM Team
Pauline M. Maki, PhD Heading link
Pauline M. Maki, PhD
Director, Center for Health, Awareness, and Research on Menopause
Professor, Psychiatry, Psychology and OB/GYN, University of Illinois College of Medicine
Executive Board, International Menopause Society
An internationally recognized menopause expert, Dr. Maki has led NIH-funded research for 25+ years. Her work examines the impact of hormonal changes and menopause symptoms on cognition, brain function, and mood, as well as the role of hormone therapy. She is a frequent media contributor, with over 200 publications and numerous accolades, including the 2018 Woman in Science Award. Honored by the Office of the Vice President and First Lady of the United States, Dr. Maki collaborates with Halle Berry and rē•spin to advocate for federal legislation to expand menopause research and care in the U.S.
Graduate Students Heading link
Jacob van Doorn, MS
Jay studies the organization of brain networks in midlife women, and the changes and adaptations in those networks that occur with menopause and aging. His work helps to elucidate the neural basis of women’s complaints of brain fog during menopause. This work is important in identifying brain imaging outcomes that can be targeted in clinical trials of new treatments for brain fog.
Alexandra Paget-Blanc Heading link
Alexandra Paget-Blanc
Alexandra examines how menopause symptoms, particularly sleep disturbance and hot flashes, impact memory and other cognitive functions in Black and Hispanic midlife women. This work is important as those women typically experience the most severe and enduring menopause symptoms and also experience the highest rates of Alzheimer’s disease. The ultimate goal of her work is to identify which particular menopause symptoms contribute to which particular cognitive difficulties. This work is critical in realizing the goal of personalized menopause care for women.
Shelby Wood, MA Heading link
Shelby Wood, MA
Shelby studies the emotional well-being in women at midlife and beyond. She is particularly interested in the interplay between sleep disturbance and mental well-being. Her research has shown that certain aspects of sleep disturbance, when measured with wearable monitors, are associated with reduced next-day positive emotions. This work is critical in guiding the development of sleep interventions to improve emotional well-being in women.
Katrina Wugalter, MA Heading link
Katrina Wugalter, MA
Katrina studies the changes in brain function and structure that influence women’s memory skills during menopause and the years that follow. She is particularly interested in understanding the brain changes that make certain women more vulnerable to Alzheimer’s disease. A better understanding of the brain circuits that support memory function in women will allow researchers to better assess the effectiveness of interventions designed to optimize memory performance and decrease the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
