Current Work

Francesca is a neuroscientist whose research focuses on identifying and addressing modifiable factors that affect the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. She is especially interested in early detection of risk and resilience factors in young adulthood and mid-life. She collaborates with patient advocacy and community organizations to reduce the stigma surrounding dementia and promote public awareness of brain health.

Words of Strength

Making connections

Vision

To prevent dementia, Francesca believes we need to promote better understanding and awareness of risk and protective factors early in the life course, particularly in young and middle-aged adults. We also need to amplify the voices of people living with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s and other dementias, and their care partners, to reduce fear surrounding the conditions. 

Strategy

Francesca is a mixed-methods researcher. She conducts observational and intervention studies using psychological measures, cognitive testing, neuroimaging, and qualitative interviewing. She works with community-based and patient populations, including people with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. She also organizes community outreach projects to promote better understanding of brain health.

Impact

Francesca is excited and honored to be part of the global community of Atlantic Fellows. Since completing the fellowship, she has continued to gain diverse perspectives of brain health and dementia by collaborating with experts from across the world. She hopes that her work will support dementia prevention, and ultimately, foster more inclusive and age-friendly societies. 

Motivation

Francesca works towards a future where everyone can easily access the resources needed to promote healthy brain aging, and where people living with dementia are empowered and supported in their community. 

Education & Experience

Francesca received her PhD in neuroscience from the National University of Ireland, Maynooth, in 2016. She completed post-doctoral training at the School of Psychology, University College Dublin, and the Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, before joining the Global Brain Health Institute in 2020. She is currently a Research Assistant Professor at the University of Chicago

In addition to research, Francesca is passionate about cross-disciplinary collaboration between the arts and sciences. In 2018, she co-authored a popular science book, Why Science Needs Art (Routledge, UK).

University of Chicago
current
Research Assistant Professor
Global Brain Health Institute
Atlantic Fellow for Equity in Brain Health
National University of Ireland, Maynooth
Behavioral Neuroscience
PhD
National University of Ireland, Maynooth
Psychology
BA

Awards & Honors

Alzheimer’s Association
2022
International Research Fellowship
Global Brain Health Institute
2022
Pilot Award for Global Brain Health Leaders
Northwestern University
Osher Center for Integrative Medicine
2021
Pilot Research Award
Irish Research Council
in collaboration with the Alzheimer’s Society of Ireland
2019
Engaging Civic Society Award
Irish Research Council
2018
Enterprise Postdoctoral Fellowship

Videos

Podcasts

Near FM

Voyage Around My Brain: Sarah Fox, Susanne Roehr, Berenice Werle and Francesca Farina

What is Brain Health?

November 2, 2020
Near FM

Voyage Around My Brain: John Gore-Grimes, Kate Byrne and Francesca Farina

Living with Dementia

September 14, 2020

Featured Publications

Send 

Francesca

 a Note

Have ideas for global brain health or a collaboration? I would love to hear from you. Feel free to send an introductory note.