Justin Palmer

I am a graduate student earning my PhD in clinical psychology, with a minor in neuropsychology. My research focuses on better understanding health and genetic risk factors of neurocognitive disorders and age-related cognitive impairment using empirically-based neuropsychological tests, state-of-the art neuroimaging pulse sequences, and novel blood-based biomarkers. Specifically, my dissertation focuses understanding how the severity of respiratory symptoms impact memory and brain structure/function following COVID-19 recovery. When I am not doing research, I enjoy running on the Rillito trial and trying local breweries here in Tucson! 

Research Interests:

• Better understanding health and genetic risk factors of neurocognitive disorders and age-related cognitive impairment.
• Using empirically-based neuropsychological tests, state-of-the art neuroimaging pulse sequences, and novel blood-based biomarkers.

Publications:

• Palmer, J.M., Heuntelman, M., Ryan, L. (2023). More than just risk for Alzheimer’s disease: APOE ε4’s impact on the aging brain. Trends in Neurosciences. S0166-2236(23)00141-8. Advance online publication.
• Palmer, J. M., Grilli, M. D., Lawrence, A. V., & Ryan, L. (2022). The impact of context on pattern separation for objects among younger and older apolipoprotein ϵ4 carriers and noncarriers. Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society : JINS, 1–11. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1355617722000455

Posters:

• Palmer, J.M., Guarena Espinosa, L. and Ryan, L. The Impact of Context on Memory for Short Stories Among Older and Younger Adults. Presented at Arizona Alzheimer’s Consortium, Phoenix, AZ, 22 September, 2022. Presented at The International Neuropsychological Society, San Diego, CA, 2 February, 2023.
• Palmer, J.M. & Ryan, L. How COVID-19 respiratory symptom severity and levels of NFL among older adults impact cognitive performance: Preliminary data. Presented at Cognitive Aging Conference, Atlanta, GA, 8 April, 2022. 
• Palmer, J.M., Lawrence, A.V., Grilli, M.D., Heuntelman, M.J., Talboom, J.S., and Ryan, L.  Context-dependent memory in cognitively normal older e4 carriers and non-carriers. Presented at Arizona Alzheimer’s Consortium, Phoenix, AZ, 16 May 2019. Presented at Society for Neuroscience, Chicago, IL, 23 October 2019. Presented at Arizona Alzheimer’s Consortium, Tucson, AZ, 9 October, 2021.

Dissertation Title:

• The Cognitive and Structural Brain Impacts Following COVID-19 Recovery

TA Experience:

• PSY 596T - Teaching of Psychology (2023)
• PSY 694A - Assessment Practicum

*Year listed indicates when this individual last taught the specified course

Updated: 05/17/24