Overview

Dr. Sharon Sanz Simon, PhD, is a neuropsychologist focused on aging and
Alzheimer's research. She is an assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry at
Rutgers New Jersey Medical Center - Newark. She is also a core member of the
Herbert and Jacqueline Krieger Klein Alzheimer's Research Center, Brain Health
Institute, Rutgers University-New Brunswick.

Dr. Sanz Simon earned her Ph.D. from the University of Sao Paulo in Brazil and
completed her postdoctoral training at Columbia University Irving Medical Center.
She is a recipient of the Research Fellowship in Neuropsychiatry at Harvard Medical
School (Brigham and Women's Hospital) and received research awards from the
International Neuropsychological Society (2017 and 2019). She is currently funded by
the National Institute on Aging (K99/R00 Award), the Alzheimer's Association (AARF-
D), and the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPQ-
Brazilian government).

Dr. Sanz Simon's research is focused on brain health disparities, sociocultural
determinants, and individual characteristics that influence risk and resilience to
cognitive aging and Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD), particularly
among diverse populations. In addition, she investigates the effects and mechanisms
of non-pharmacological lifestyle interventions in aging. She has a particular interest in
integrating, technology, and digital biomarkers into cognitive intervention and
physical exercise programs.

She is currently the Principal Investigator for the BRAINY-NJ Study (Brazilian Aging in
New York - New Jersey Study), which aims to investigate brain health and dementia
risk factors among Brazilian immigrants living in the NYC metropolitan area (NY and
NJ states).

By employing community-engaged research approaches, Dr. Sanz Simon partners
with local communities to empower them and enhance the representation of
minoritized populations in aging and ADRD research. Her ultimate goal is to inform
health policy strategies and disseminate evidence-based, accessible, and culturally
sensitive interventions to promote healthy aging and dementia prevention.

Education

PHD, 2017, University of Sao Paulo

Languages

French
Portugese
Spanish

Relevant Publications

Simon, S.S.; Varangis, E.; Lee, S.; Gu, Y.; Gazes, Y.; Razlighi, Q.R.; Habeck, C.; Stern, Y. (2024). In vivo tau is associated with change in memory and processing speed, but not reasoning, in cognitively unimpaired older adults. Neurobiology of Aging, v.133, 28-38.

Simon, S.S., Brucki, S.M.D., Fonseca, L.M., Becker, J. Cappi, C., Marques, A.H., Heyn, P., Goncalves, P.D., Martins, S.S., Busatto, G., Bertola, L., Suemoto, C.K., Nitrini, R., Caramelli, P., Yassuda, M.S., Miotto, E.C., Grinberg, L.T., Arce Renteria, M., Alegria, M., Stern, Y., Rivera-Mindt, M. (2023). The (in)visible Brazilians: A perspective review on the need for brain health and dementia research with Brazilian immigrants in the United States. Alzheimer's & Dementia: TRCI. 9:e12425. doi:10.1002/trc2.12425.

Simon, S.S., Ben-Eliezer, D. Pondikos, M. Stern, Y. Gopher, D. (2023). Feasibility and acceptability on a new web-based cognitive training platform for cognitively healthy older adults: the breakfast task. Pilot and Feasibility Studies. 9:136.

Nicastri, C.M., Simon, S.S., McFeeley, B., Ledreux, A., Hakanbsson, K., Granholm, A., Mohammed, A.H., Daffner, K.R. (2022). BDNF mediates improvement in cognitive performance after computerized cognitive training. Alzheimer's & Dementia: TRCI. 30;8(1):e12337.

Simon, S.S., Lee, S., Gu, Y., Mensing, A., Noofoo, D., Nazario, G.H., Babukutty, R.S., Stern, Y. (2022). Leisure activity engagement across adulthood predicts cognitive change after 5 years: Does gender and age matter? Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society 29(6):529-540.

Simon, S.S. (2021). Good News for Dementia Prevention: Multiple Behavioral Features Are Associated With Markers of Brain Pathology in the Preclinical Phase of Sporadic and Autosomal Dominant Alzheimer's Disease. BiologicalPsychiatry. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsych.2021.02.001.

Simon, S.S., Lee, S., Stern, Y. (2020). Personality'cognition associations across the adult life span and potential moderators: Results from two cohorts. Journal of Personality. https://doi.org/10.1111/jopy.12548.

Simon, S.S., Hampstead, B.M., Nucci, M.P., Ferreira, L.K., Duran, F.L.S., Fonseca, L.M., Martin, M.G.M., Avila, R., Porto, F.H.G., Brucki, S.M.D., Martins, C.B., Tascone, L.S., Amaro, Jr E., Busatto, G.F., Bottino, C.M.C. (2020). Mnemonic strategy training modulates functional connectivity at rest in mild cognitive impairment: results from a randomized controlled trial. Alzheimer & Dementia: TRCI. 6(1): e12075.

Simon, S.S., Hampstead, B.M., Nucci, M.P., Duran, F.L.S., Fonseca, L.M., Martin, M.G.M., Avila, R., Porto, F.H.G., Brucki, S.M.D., Martins, C.B., Tascone, L.S., Amaro, Jr E., Busatto, G.F., Bottino, C.M.C (2018). Cognitive and brain activity changes after mnemonic strategy training in amnestic mild cognitive impairment: evidence from a randomized controlled trial. Frontiers of Aging Neuroscience, doi: 10.3389/fnagi.2018.00342.

Simon, S.S., Cordas, T.A., Bottino, C.M.C. (2015). Cognitive Behavioral Therapies in older adults with depression and cognitive deficits: a systematic review. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry; 30(3): 223-33. doi: 10.1002/gps.4239.