The Behringer lab at Loma Linda University School of Medicine aims to understand the vascular signatures of aging and Alzheimer's disease with a comprehensive emphasis on molecular biology, cellular biophysics, and integrative physiology/pharmacology.
The current research projects investigate novel and controllable mechanisms to improve the function of blood vessels in the brain, thus promoting a healthier brain function to sustain the lifespan and quality of the life in older humans susceptible to developing dementia such as Alzheimer's disease. The lab is currently supported by NIH grant “Role of Endothelial K+ Channels in Age-Related Dementia” (R01AG073230).
Meet the Team
Get to know Dr. Behringer and his staff and students doing groundbreaking research.
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Join the Lab
Seeking motivated undergraduates, graduates, post-doctoral fellows, and other collaborators.
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Lab News
Student promotions to PhD candidacy:
- PhD student Fritz Miot successfully defended his proposal for PhD candidacy on 10/14/2025: “Endothelial KIR2.1 Impairment: Driver of Vascular Aging & Cognitive Decline”.
- MD/PhD student Zion Shih successfully defended her proposal for PhD candidacy on 11/7/2024: Harnessing Cerebrovascular Endothelial K+ Channel Function to Mitigate Alzheimer’s Disease Pathogenesis
Conferences:
- October 30, 2025 – 28th Annual Basic Sciences Symposium - MD/PhD student Zion Shih presented a flash talk and poster, earning 1st place for both her abstract and poster.
- October 30, 2025 – 28th Annual Basic Sciences Symposium - PhD student Fritz Miot presented a poster at the symposium.
- July 30, 2025 – Center for Health Disparities & Molecular Medicine Annual Symposium: UTP student Robert Lister and ABC student Kevin Nguyen presented their summer research at the symposium.
