Dr. Laura Zahodne

Biography

Laura Zahodne is a clinical neuropsychologist at the University of Michigan's College of Literature, Science, and the Arts, where she serves as a Professor in the Department of Psychology. She obtained her PhD from the University of Florida and completed her neuropsychology internship at Brown University. Following this, she participated in postdoctoral training at Columbia University Medical Center before joining the faculty at the University of Michigan. Dr. Zahodne's research primarily focuses on understanding how psychosocial factors influence cognitive trajectories in later life, particularly in the context of neurodegenerative disease. Her studies examine both risk (such as depressive symptoms) and protective factors (like educational attainment and bilingualism) that impact dementia incidence and progression. She is currently researching the role of positive psychosocial factors, including social networks and religious involvement, and how these intersect with issues of racial and ethnic diversity and social stressors. Through her work, she aims to dissect the complexities of cognitive aging and to identify approaches that promote better outcomes for older adults, especially in underrepresented groups.

Research Interests