Aida Abraha

Associate Professor of Biochemistry

Dr. Aida Abraha SCI-239 (SCI-296D) 773-995-2491(x2850) email SCORE website

Education

B.S., Chicago State University

Ph.D., Loyola University of Chicago

Postdoctoral fellowship, Johns Hopkins and Northwestern University

Research Interests

Alzheimer’s disease is partly characterized by the intracellular deposition of Neurofibrillary tangles that are made up of hyperphosphorylated and proteolytically cleaved tau protein. In my lab, we study the effect of tau truncation, by calpain, on polymerization in vitro. Kinetic s and morphology studies are monitored using laser light scattering and transmission electron microscope, respectively.

Recent Presentations and Publications

Sherri F. Seyfried, Aida Abraha, Ivy Dunn, Monique Germain, Thomas Lyons, Mikal Rasheed, and Quintin L. Williams. "Mindfulness Practice for Human Service Providers in Underserved Communities: An Ethical and Socially Just Approach to Practice."  Encyclopedia of Social Justice and Diversity; 2015; pg 513-17

Brett Fugate, Denise Medrano, Joyce Ache Gana, Aida Abraha, and Suzanne M. Cunningham. Medicago sativa L.beta amylase core promoter has motifs in common with Arabidopsis. J Plant Biochem Physiol; 2(1), (2014).

Abraha, A and Kanis D.R. “Growing a Vibrant Research Program with Non-Traditional students: Strategic Use of Time and Energy” Broadening Participation in Undergraduate Research: Fostering Excellence and Enhancing the Impact, Edited by Wesemann, J: Boyd, M.K., Chapter 20, pp 307-317; 2009.

Nicolette S. Honson, Jordan R. Jenson, Aida Abraha, Garth F. Hall, and Jeff Kuret. Small-molecule mediated neuroprotection in an in situ model of tauopathy (2008). Neurotoxicity Res., 15; 48-59.

Recent Grants and Funding

CTRE/CSU (PI) 2012, $10,000: “Effect of statin in tau polymerization in vitro and in CHO cells”;

EARDA/NIH (PI) 2008, 2003, $17,000: “Calpain effect on tau polymerization in vitro and in Alzheimer’s disease”;

MRI/ NSF (Co-PI) 2008, $350,000: “MRI: Acquisition of a Transmission Electron Microscope”;

MBRS/ NIH (PI) 2004-2007, $850,000: “Effect of calpain on tau polymerization in vitro and Alzheimer’s disease.”

Memberships

American Chemical Society (ACS)

Council for Undergraduate Research (CUR)

Alzheimer’s Association International Society to Advance Alzheimer’s Research and Treatment (AAISAART)