People

Caitlin Latimer

Dr. Caitlin Latimer is a neuropathologist and physician–scientist at the University of Washington whose research focuses on the molecular and cellular mechanisms of brain aging and age-related neurodegenerative diseases. She integrates human post-mortem brain tissue studies with advanced molecular tools and model systems to better understand the molecular drivers of poly-pathology in the aging brain. One major focus in the lab is mechanisms of tau and TDP-43 synergy in the context of Alzheimer’s disease, specifically interrogating how these pathologies synergize and impact cellular resilience in Alzheimer’s disease. Another research focus is understanding the basis of resilience—why some individuals maintain cognitive function despite significant neuropathology. By combining high-resolution spatial transcriptomics, quantitative neuropathology, and translational model systems including C. elegans and human cell cultures, Dr. Latimer’s lab aims to identify the cellular interactions and signaling pathways that contribute to disease risk and protection, with the ultimate goal of advancing biomarkers and therapeutic strategies for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.

Mamatha Damodarasamy

Mamatha Damodarasamy (MS) works in the lab on RNA and spatial related studies with Nanostring GeoMx and CosMx. She also works in Dr.Reed’s lab (Dept Gerontology and Geriatrics) studying Extracellular Matrix (ECM) influences on the microenvironment of the neurovascular unit (NVU) of the brain during aging and neurodegeneration.

Nadia Postupna

Nadia Postupna earned her MD from Kharkiv State University in Ukraine and her PhD in Physiology and Biophysics from University of Washington. Her main research focus is Alzheimer’s disease and microvascular brain injury.

Marika Bogdani

Marika Bogdani holds an MD and PhD.

Javier A. Ramos Benitez

Javier is a PhD candidate in the Latimer and Keene lab. He studies neuropathological disease by leveraging single cell and spatial technologies to characterize cell types and cell states.

Jordan Ogg

Jordan is a PhD candidate in the Latimer and Young Lab.

Madeline Valentine

Maddie is a PhD candidate in the Latimer and Young Lab.

Heino Hulsey-Vincent

Heino is a research scientist in the Latimer lab. He holds a Master's degree in Biology from Western Washington University.