Oliver Bracko

Oliver Bracko is Assistant Professor of Research in Physiology and Neuroscience at the USCEpstein Family Alzheimer’s Therapeutic Research Institute (ATRI).

Our research program aims to decipher the interplay of the brain microvasculature and the innate immune cells in chronic inflammatory neurodegenerative diseases using in vivo multiphoton imaging and state-of-the-art molecular tools.
The overarching goal is to shed light on the mechanisms underpinning the role of vascular-immune cell interactions in cognitive impairment across various aging disorders. Specifically, my research program focuses on elucidating the role of microvascular dysfunction and the innate immune system (including platelets and neutrophils) in Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias. Specifically, we study how inflammatory processes triggered by neuroinflammation or in the periphery impact endothelial and innate immune cells, leading to brain-blood flow reductions, blood- brain barrier leakage, and immune cell-vascular interactions using in vivo imaging modalities and state-of- the-art molecular techniques.

• McKnight Foundation & Florida Education Fund: Jones Mentor Award, 2026
• University of Miami: Dean’s Excellence Award for Scholarly and Creative Activities, 2024
• Cornell University: The Postdoc Achievement Award for Excellence in Teaching & Mentoring, 2018

• Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich , Zurich — PhD — Neuroscience
• University of Tübingen, Tübingen — Diplom — Biology

• Zlokovic, Berislav
• Wang, Danny
• Aisen, Paul
• Ringman, John
• Thompson, Paul
• Nation, Daniel