The Duke/UNC Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (ADRC) Research Education Component (REC) Core is pleased to announce our 2025 Associate REC Scholars: Katherine He (Duke University) and Sejal Patel (Duke University). Associate REC Scholars will be supported in their development as investigators in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD). Associate REC Scholars have access to training in the core research competencies necessary for success as an independent scientist; training in basic, clinical, and translational research concepts necessary for success in furthering innovative research on Alzheimer’s disease; and mentorship to advance their research independence.

Read more about the 2025 Duke/UNC ADRC Associate REC Scholars below.

Katherine He

Duke University Class of 2027

Majors: Neuroscience, Global Health

Minor: Chemistry

Katherine He is a sophomore at Duke University, where she majors in Neuroscience and Global Health, with a minor in Chemistry. Katherine has a longstanding interest in understanding the biological, environmental, and social determinants that contribute to brain damage and disease. This interest was strengthened through her work as an EMT with Duke University EMS and volunteer experience at Doylestown Hospital, PA, where she has had the opportunity to hear the stories of individuals from diverse backgrounds as they navigate their health struggles.

In 2024, Katherine joined Dr. Leah Acker’s lab in the Duke Department of Anesthesiology, where she investigates technologies to enhance brain function and promote recovery following major surgeries. Her REC project, “Intergenerational Dynamics of Stress and Biomarkers: A Biopsychosocial Approach to Exploring Links to Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Across Demographics,” investigates the relationship between distress and AD risk across age ranges. After graduating from Duke, Katherine plans to pursue an MD/MPH with the ultimate goal of becoming a neurologist, advancing patient care through translating research into meaningful clinical applications, and conducting interdisciplinary research that bridges clinical practice, basic research, and population health.

---

Sejal Patel

Duke University Class of 2026

Major: Neuroscience

Minor: Innovation & Entrepreneurship Certificate

Sejal Patel is a junior at Duke University, where she majors in Neuroscience and is working towards an Innovation & Entrepreneurship Certificate. Sejal has experience on multiple research teams whose work includes creating a translational care guide for TBI patients and caregivers, assessing for mild traumatic brain injury in youth athletes, and creating a device used to diagnose alcohol use disorder in developing countries. Sejal joined Dr. Sharon Fekrat’s lab in the Duke Department of Ophthalmology in 2023. Her work involves investigating retinal layer thickness differences between PTSD and TBI patients and healthy controls using optical coherence tomography (OCT). Sejal’s REC project, “Investigating Novel Retinal Layer Thickness Biomarkers along the Alzheimer’s Continuum using Optical Coherence Tomography,” aims to explore the potential of retinal layer thickness biomarkers along the Alzheimer’s continuum including normal cognition, asymptomatic ApoE4 carriers, mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s dementia in addition to asymptomatic non-ApoE4 carriers, and those with non-Alzheimer’s dementia such as Lewy body and frontotemporal dementias. Sejal plans to become a physician-scientist with a career in medical research.

---

Welcome to the Duke/UNC ADRC Katherine & SEjal!