Fleming Appointed Director of Neurodegenerative Diseases and Aging Research

Sheila Fleming, Ph.D., has been appointed as the director of NEOMED’s Neurodegenerative Diseases and Aging Research Focus Area, effective July 1, 2021. Dr. Fleming, who was recently promoted with tenure to the rank of associate professor in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the College of Pharmacy, is poised to lead the research focus area to greater heights. She obtained her Ph.D. in behavioral neuroscience from Arizona State University and completed postdoctoral training at the University of California, Los Angeles, in the Department of Neurology and Neurobiology. Prior to joining NEOMED in 2016, Dr. Fleming held several academic positions that were instrumental in her rapid development as a researcher and faculty member at the University. Since joining NEOMED, Dr. Fleming’s research has been funded by the NIH, Department of Defense and the Michael J Fox Foundation. 

Dr. Fleming is currently a co-principal investigator on a major grant from the Department of Defense on a project that is evaluating the role of exercise in the initiation and progression of neurodegenerative disease. She is also the principal investigator on a new major grant from NIH titled “ATP13A2 and Susceptibility to Neurodegeneration” totaling $1.7 million over 5 years. Dr. Fleming has been very active in serving her professional organizations in various capacities ranging from scientific review and keynote speaking engagements.  

Dr. Fleming has authored/co-authored more than 50 high impact peer-reviewed publications in the field of behavioral neuroscience and Parkinson’s disease. As the director of the Neurodegenerative Diseases and Aging Research Focus Area, Dr. Fleming will work with faculty and researchers while taking the lead in advancing the strategic vision of the research focus area through planning, launching and overseeing its growth.