Dr. Bendlin named director of Neuroscience & Public Policy Program

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barbara bendlin phd

The UW-Madison Neuroscience & Public Policy Program (N&PP) named Barbara Bendlin, PhD, director of its program. Dr. Bendlin is associate professor in the Department of Medicine Division of Geriatrics and Gerontology at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, and an investigator in the Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and the Waisman Center.

Dr. Bendlin collaborates with researchers from various disciplines, including key Wisconsin-based projects, to ask a variety of questions about Alzheimer’s disease. More specifically, her research focuses on the interplay of factors that contribute to healthy or diseased brain aging. Her lab also studies the impact of modifiable factors that may affect aging, such as sleep, diet, microbial influences, or mid-life metabolic disorders.

Founded in 2005, N&PP brings together faculty from neuroscience, public policy, bioethics, sociology, and law to train future research neuroscientists to be thought leaders in policy and law. The program is one of only a few in the world to offer a dual degree in both neuroscience and public policy. It encompasses rigorous academic training for the PhD degree in neuroscience through the Neuroscience Training Program, in addition to the MPA or MIPA degree through the La Follette School of Public Affairs or the JD degree through the Law School.

Dr. Bendlin’s appointment was effective June 2019.