Principal Investigators
Ganesh Babulal, PhD, OTD, MSCI, MOT, OTR/L
Dr. Ganesh Babulal’s research interests lie in investigating the relationship between cognition and mental health and its impact on instrumental activities in populations with chronic neurological diseases, specifically, Alzheimer’s disease, dementian and stroke. Additionally, Dr. Babulal researches driving performance via road tests and driving behavior via naturalistic driving methodologies to understand changes and decline in healthy and clinical populations.
He is an Associate Professor in the Department of Neurology and affiliate faculty in the Knight Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center at Washington University School of Medicine. He works with the DRIVES team on several studies funded by the NIH/NIA and other organizations.
Darrell Hudson, PhD
Dr. Darrell Hudson’s research focuses on racial/ethnic health disparities and the role of social determinants of health, particularly how socioeconomic position and social context affect health and health disparities. He is currently investigating why data show that African Americans — despite bearing a disproportionate burden of physical health disparities and greater exposure to stress — have lower rates of depression compared to white Americans.
He has examined perceptions of depression and mental health care among African Americans and investigated comorbid depression and Type 2 diabetes in various settings. He also co-directs the Collaboration on Race, Inequality, and Social Mobility in America within the Brown School’s Center for Social Development. Hudson holds a joint appointment with the Washington University Department of Psychiatry and is a faculty scholar with the Institute for Public Health.
He teaches the courses “Social Epidemiology,” “Health Behavior and Health Promotion,” as well as “Transdisciplinary Problem Solving: Popular Culture and Public Health.” Prior to his faculty appointment, Hudson completed a postdoctoral fellowship with the Kellogg Health Scholars Program at the University of California at San Francisco/Berkeley.
Co-Investigators
Dr. Carl V. Hill, PhD, MPH
Dr. Carl V. Hill is the chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer for the Alzheimer’s Association, overseeing strategic initiatives to strengthen the Association’s outreach to all populations, and providing communities with resources and support to address the Alzheimer’s crisis.
In this role, Dr. Hill is responsible for developing cross-functional partnerships with organizations to advance diversity, equity and inclusion. As a result of his leadership, the Association has broadened its reach to previously diverse communities with partners such as the African Methodist Episcopal Church and the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation.
Within the Association, Dr. Hill collaborates with human resources to attract talent and develop resources that champion staff diversity and a culture of inclusion. He authored an editorial in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Neurology highlighting the need for more diverse perspectives to address disparities and pursue equity in dementia science.
Dr. Hill previously served as the Association’s vice president, Scientific Engagement. Prior to joining the Association, he served as director, Office of Special Populations at the National Institutes on Aging (NIA). Throughout Dr. Hill’s six years in this role, he led the development of the NIA Health Disparities Research Framework, which stimulates studies focused on health disparities related to aging. He also directed the NIA Butler-Williams Scholars Program, which provides yearly training for early career investigators interested in aging research.
Dr. Monique Williams, MD
Dr. Monique Williams is a member of the National Medical Association and the current President of Mound City Medical Forum. Additionally, she is a member of the NIA Health Disparities Resource Person Network, Gerontological Society of America, Biological Sciences Executive Committee, and Minority Issues in Gerontology Committee.
Since college, Dr. Williams has conducted research concentrated on Alzheimer’s disease, minority research recruitment, ethical issues in research, and disparities across the lifespan.
Dr. Beau M. Ances, MD, PhD
Dr. Ances is the inaugural Daniel J Brennan MD Professor of Neurology. He is an author on over 200 publications and his work has been cited by numerous media outlets (including the Associated Press, US News and World Report, Science, Time, Discover, etc.) and PBS documentaries (including Alzheimer’s Disease: Every Minute Counts). Clinically, Dr. Ances sees patients in the inpatient and outpatient settings with a variety of neurodegenerative diseases (including AD, DS-AD, ADAD, HAND, CJD, AIME, and neurological complications from COVID19).
Dr. Jean-Francois Trani, PhD, MA
Dr. Jean-Francois Trani investigates the intersection of mental health, disability, vulnerability and poverty with a focus on conducting field research that informs policy and service design for individuals living in conflict-affected fragile states and low-income countries. He is a member of the Prevention Research Center and the Social System Design Lab at the Brown School.
Using the Capability Approach of Amartya Sen, Trani hypothesizes that lack of opportunity — or poor conversion factors — is linked to stigma of disability and other discriminated groups, which results in social exclusion and creates mental distress. He argues that efforts to improve the well-being of persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups must address the overlooked issue of stigma.
Trani’s research has contributed to policy papers of the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Public Health in Afghanistan. He is an editor of ALTER, the European Journal of Disability Research and the Revue Tiers Monde. He is also a coordinator of the Health and Disability group at the Human Development and Capability Association.
Trani’s teaching is linked to his professional experience in global health and international development, and he involves master and doctoral students in all phases of his research projects.
Research Coordinators
Alexis Walker, BA, NHA-CPT
Senior Clinical Research Coordinator
Office number: (314) 747-1474
Alexis Walker is a Clinical Research Coordinator for the ARCHES Study. She completed her Bachelor’s degree in cognitive neuroscience and African and African American studies at Washington University in St. Louis in May of 2021. In addition, she received her phlebotomy certification from the St. Louis School of Phlebotomy and the National Healthcareer Association in April of 2022. This project contributes to her interest in the intersection of various neuropsychological topics and marginalized communities (i.e. racial minorities, etc.).
Since August of 2022, Alexis has served as a volunteer community educator with the Greater Missouri Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. In this role, she presents to local organizations about understanding Alzheimer’s disease, the importance of early detection, and getting involved in research.
Terri Buckner
Clinical Research Coordinator I
Office number: (314) 273-0477
Ms. Terri Buckner is a Clinical Research Coordinator for the ARCHES Study. She was previously employed as a Training Coordinator across Missouri at BioLife Plasma Services for 5 years managing a large team of phlebotomists. She received her phlebotomy certification from St. Louis School of Phlebotomy in 2019. Terri is passionate about learning about Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias from the elder community in St. Louis. She also wants to disseminate information to young adults to help instill awareness at a young age and also engage with navigating prevention initiatives to preserve cognitive functions for our aging elders. She is part of the National Legacy Chess Committee for African American Youth with where her children are active participants
Mario Millsap, MS, OTR/L
Clinical Specialist PT/OT
Mario Millsap is a Clinical Specialist for the ARCHES Study. He is an Occupational Therapist based in St. Louis, Missouri. He graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with a Master’s in Occupational Therapy in 2020. His professional interests include interprofessional partnership, health advocacy, and integrating artificial intelligence in healthcare. Mario strives to empower Black communities by combining innovation with holistic and occupation-based practices.
Postdoctoral Researchers
Semere Bekena, MD, MPH
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Semere Bekena is a Postdoctoral Researcher for the DRIVES Project at Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine. He holds a Master of Public Health in Epidemiology and Biostatistics from Washington University and a Doctor of Medicine from St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College in Ethiopia. Semere has extensive clinical and research experience, including roles as a General Practitioner and Lecturer at St. Paul’s Hospital, and as a Graduate Research Assistant in the Bioethics Research Lab, where he was part of a team conducting research on Alzheimer’s patients at the Knight Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. He also contributed to research projects with the International Center for Child Health and Development. His future interest is to pursue a residency in neurology.
Ramkrishna Kumar Singh, MD, MPH, CPH
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Dr. Ramkrishna Kumar Singh is a Postdoctoral Research Associate for the ARCHES and DRIVES project. He earned his MD degree in India and later pursued an MPH from Washington University in St. Louis. He completed the Global Clinical Scholars Research Training Program at Harvard Medical School and was a Graduate Policy Scholar at the Clark-Fox Policy Institute. With over six years of clinical and extensive research experience, his work focuses on metabolomics and social determinants of health in South Asia and among the African American population in St. Louis. Dr. Singh is passionate about studying biomarkers for neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s disease, with a strong interest in pursuing a residency in neurology.
Madeline Franklin, JD
Ms. Franklin serves as the founding Executive Director of STL Village whose mission is “to support older adults who desire to actively age in their own homes and communities.” She is a member of Central Baptist Church where she is active in several ministries. Ms. Franklin chairs the Justice League at Central Baptist Church and is interested in programs advocating for social justice.
Sarah Lovegreen, MPH, MCHES
As Vice President of Programs for the Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Missouri, Sarah Lovegreen leads efforts to expand care and support for people impacted by the disease. This work includes individualized support for those affected by dementia, community outreach and education, healthcare engagement and population level strategies to increase access to services.
She has a Masters in Public Health from Saint Louis University and is a Master Certified Health Education Specialist. Outside of work, Sarah enjoys day hikes, visiting the beach and spending time with family and friends. She also volunteers at her children’s school on the PTO.
Jeffrey Walker
Mr. Walker is a Chemical Technician III at the Mallinckrodt Pharmaceutical plant here in St. Louis, MO. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in both Chemistry Advanced Study and Biology Pre-Medicine from Alcorn State University. He is an alumnus of the INROADS program and enjoys providing volunteer assistance whenever the occasion arises. He has also been active in the St. Louis chapter of the Boy Scouts of America program having served as an assistant scout master.
Not pictured above:
- Sheila Holm– AARP in St. Louis
- Sean Kimbrough– Vitas Healthcare Hospice
- Dawn Moore– Faith Based Community Outreach
- Kym Radford– Washington University Center for Community Health
- John Saunders, Jr.– Executive Director for Wesley House
- Dionne Stalling– Founder and Executive Director of Rare and Black
- Anneliese Stoever– St. Louis Area Agency on Aging
