Juliana Acosta-Uribe

Dr. Juliana Acosta-Uribe is an Assistant Researcher at the Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, and serves as the Neurogenetic Research Coordinator for the Grupo de Neurociencias de Antioquia at Universidad de Antioquia, Colombia. With a background in Molecular Cellular and Developmental Biology, complemented by her medical degree, Dr. Acosta-Uribe has dedicated over a decade to advancing the field of neurogenetics. Her expertise spans the intersections of clinical and population genetics, focusing on neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD). 

Dr. Acosta-Uribe's work has significantly contributed to understanding the genotype-phenotype correlations and the impact of multi-ancestral genetic risk factors for dementia in admixed populations. Her research includes leading genetic analyses of Latin-American cohorts with ADRD and exploring the demographic influence on the genesis of such illnesses. Her efforts have highlighted the role of founder effects the landscape of rare mutations, offering insights into the genetic origins of familial neurodegenerative conditions. 

Beyond her research, Dr. Acosta-Uribe is an advocate for genomic literacy, leading training programs in computational genetics to help Latin American researchers engage more deeply with genetic data analysis. Her mentorship extends beyond her research, encouraging diversity and inclusion within the global scientific community. Through her work and advocacy, Dr. Acosta-Uribe plays a key role in expanding the field of neurogenetics and supporting a more diverse scientific community.