Our Science Team

I am not currently recruiting additional roles for the lab. Please check back in the spring of 2027.

Megan Fitzhugh, PhD

Lab Director

Assistant Professor

Department of Neurosciences

My lab's research explores how age-related hearing loss affects the brain and contributes to dementia risk. Our work combines neuroimaging, cognitive testing, and hearing science to understand these links and to evaluate whether hearing aids can help protect or restore brain health. This line of research is designed to open new avenues for prevention and early intervention in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.

I earned my PhD in Neuroscience at Arizona State University, following master’s and bachelor’s degrees in Physiology from the University of Arizona. I then went on to postdoctoral training at the University of Southern California and UC San Diego.

In my mentorship, I emphasize collaboration, skill development, and personal growth. Trainees can expect opportunities to work with large longitudinal datasets, neuroimaging methods, and clinical research approaches, while also engaging with questions that have clear public health impact. I am eager to work with motivated students and collaborators who are interested in auditory neuroscience, aging, and dementia prevention.

Monique Apostol

Hello! I’m a 3rd year undergraduate student at UC San Diego studying cognitive and behavioral neuroscience, with an interest in pursuing medicine. What I’m most scientifically curious about is seeking out ways to detect dementia in adults early on, so we can help maintain their memories and sense of self. For my free time, I love to explore various food places and go running/hiking by the beach.

Maria Dimian

Hi! I’m a second-year undergraduate student at UC San Diego studying Human Biology with plans to pursue a career as a physician. I’m especially interested in understanding how hearing influences cognition, communication, and overall brain health, and how studying these connections may help improve the early detection of cognitive decline. In my free time, I enjoy taking pictures, hiking, spending time at the beach, and watching sunsets.

Emma Reiner

Hi! I am a 3rd year undergraduate student at San Diego State University and a part of the ADAR program, where we focus on research regarding the aging population. I study psychology with an emphasis in neuroscience, along with a public health minor. My plans involve pursuing a career in clinical neuropsychology. My research interests align with prevention and identification of risk factors among alzheimers and related dementias. In my spare time, I enjoy beach days, reading, travelling, and listening to music!

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