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Department of Neurosciences Department of Neurosciences

Our Team

  • Jody Corey-Bloom, M.D., Ph.D.

    Jody Corey-Bloom, M.D., Ph.D.

    Dr. Corey-Bloom is the Director of the UCSD Huntington’s Disease Clinical Research Program, UCSD HDSA Center of Excellence (COE), and the Genetically Handicapped Persons Program (GHPP). She was a member of the Enroll-HD Executive Oversight Committee and a member of the Executive Committee of the Huntington’s Study Group (HSG).  Dr. Corey-Bloom has been the Principal Investigator on over 50 clinical trials for the treatment of various dementing conditions. She has been honored as a “Top Doctor” in the field of Neurology by the San Diego County Medical Society and was selected by US News & World Report as a Top Doctor (Neurology & Neurosurgery). Dr. Corey-Bloom is a member of the Huntington's Study Group, the Movement Disorders Society, the American Neurological Association, and the American Academy of Neurology.
  • Brenton Wright, M.D.

    Brenton Wright, M.D.

    Dr. Wright received his undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia and his MD from the University of Louisville School of Medicine. He served as an intern and neurology resident at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons - Neurological Institute of New York, where he was also trained as a Movement Disorders fellow. Dr. Wright has worked with HD patients in the clinic and research setting since 2014. He is a member of the Huntington Study Group, the International Parkinson and Movement Disorders Society, the American Neurological Association, the American Academy of Neurology and the American Medical Association.
  • Dean Liou, MD, MA

    Dean Liou, MD, MA

    Dr. D. Dean Liou earned his medical degree from Loyola University Chicago, where he also completed a master’s degree. He completed his neurology residency at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland and further specialized in movement disorders through a fellowship at UC San Diego School of Medicine. Dr. Liou is a member of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) and the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society (MDS). Outside of medicine, Dr. Liou enjoys cooking, hiking, and spending time with his family, including his Bernedoodle!

  • Krisha Bagga

    Krisha Bagga

    Krisha Bagga is a Clinical Research Coordinator at the UCSD Huntington’s Disease Clinical Research Center and UCSD HDSA Center of Excellence. She graduated from University of California, San Diego with a Bachelor of Science in Neurobiology and is readying herself to apply to a medical school program where she hopes to become a physician. In her free time, Krisha likes hanging out with her friends, working out at the gym, reading at the beach, and exploring the hidden gems of San Diego.
  • Japleen Kaur, MBBS

    Japleen Kaur, MBBS

    Dr. Kaur is a Clinical Research Coordinator with the UCSD Huntington’s Disease Clinical Research Center and UCSD HDSA Center of Excellence. She graduated from with an MBBS from the Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, Punjab, India before doing an away rotation here at UCSD and joining our team! Dr. Kaur is currently working to matriculate to a residency program here in the US specializing in neurology and neurodegenerative disorders. In her off time, she enjoys spending time with her three dogs, playing the harmonium and sitar, dancing Bhangra and reading!
  • Andrew Hall

    Andrew Hall

    Andrew Hall is a Clinical Research Coordinator with the UCSD Huntington’s Disease Clinical Research Center and UCSD HDSA Center of Excellence. He graduated from UCSD with a Bachelor of Science in Physiology and Neuroscience. Andrew is currently working to matriculate to medical school and hopes to go on to be a physician. In his off time, he enjoys cooking, learning new things, and surfing!
  • Tracey Truscott M.S.W, LCSW

    Tracey Truscott M.S.W, LCSW

    Tracey Truscott is the clinical social worker for the HDSA Center of Excellence. Tracey graduated from San Diego State University with an undergraduate degree in Psychology, and a Master's Degree in Education and Social Work. She provides counseling and assistance to families facing Huntington's disease in our Huntington's disease clinic.
  •  Lauren Korty, M.S.

    Lauren Korty, M.S.

    Lauren Korty is a certified genetic counselor and an integral part of the predictive testing team at the UCSD HDSA Center of Excellence, primarily serving those who are at-risk for HD. She has been at UCSD for over four years and part of the predictive testing program since early 2008. She received her MS in Genetic Counseling from the University of California, Irvine and is board certified. She also specializes in prenatal genetic counseling and works with families affected by various hereditary diseases.
  • Paul Gilbert, Ph.D.

    Paul Gilbert, Ph.D.

    Dr. Gilbert is an Associate Professor in the SDSU-UCSD Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology.  He has been a research collaborator with the UCSD HDSA Center of Excellence since 2005.  He continues to publish studies examining cognitive and motor changes associated with the premanifest and manifest stages of HD.  He also is the Principal Investigator on two National Institutes of Health R01 grants and has published numerous studies on cognitive changes associated with healthy aging and age-related neurodegenerative disease.

Our Alumni

  • Chase Snell

    Chase Snell

    Chase Snell was a Clinical Research Coordinator at the UCSD Huntington’s Disease Clinical Research Center (HDCRC) and UCSD HDSA Center of Excellence. Chase graduated from Villanova University with a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry. She is passionate about tortoises, Jazzercise, The Bachelor and shoes!
  • Sean Patel

    Sean Patel

    Sean Patel was a Clinical Research Coordinator at the UCSD Huntington’s Disease Clinical Research Center and UCSD HDSA Center of Excellence. He graduated from University of California, Riverside with a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience and is currently working towards applying to a medical school program. In his free time, Sean likes going to spend time with his family, watch TV and movies, and play FIFA.
  • Madison Atchley

    Madison Atchley

    Madison was the predictive testing coordinator at UCSD HDCRC. She graduated from the California State University, San Marcos where she graduated Summa Cum Laude with a BS in Biological Sciences. Madison is currently on her way to becoming a genetic counselor. In her free time, Madison plays soccer, spends time with her friends, family, and dogs.
  • Georgia Parkin, MSc, PhD

    Georgia Parkin, MSc, PhD

    Dr. Parkin was a postdoctoral scholar at the UCSD Huntington's disease clinical research center and UCSD HDSA Center of Excellence. Georgia completed her undergraduate degree in biochemistry from The University of Melbourne and went on to The University of Zurich to complete her masters degree in Neuroscience. She matriculated into a PhD program at The University of Melbourne and completed her doctoral degree in Molecular Psychiatry in 2019. Georgia recently completed a postdoctoral position at The University of California - Irvine where she investigated salivary biomarkers in neurological diseases. This research drew Georgia into the field of Huntington's disease here at UCSD where she investigated salivary, blood, and cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers and their importance in tracking HD onset, progression, and symptomology. Georgia recently accepted a position back in her home country of Australia to conduct research on PTSD. Despite her extremely busy schedule, Georgia loves spending time with her cat Salem, exploring San Diego, and traveling!
  • Anna Smirnova

    Anna Smirnova

    Anna Smirnova was a Clinical Research Coordinator with the UCSD Huntington's Disease Clinical Research Center and UCSD HDSA Center of Excellence. She graduated from UCSD with a Bachelor of Science in General Biology. Anna is currently attending medical school and is hoping to go on to be a physician. In her off time, she loves reading, baking, and watching horror movies!
  • Braden Culbert

    Braden Culbert

    Braden Culbert was a Clinical Research Coordinator at the UCSD Huntington’s Disease Clinical Research Center and UCSD HDSA Center of Excellence. He graduated from California State University, San Marcos with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychological Science and is currently working towards applying to a PhD program in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis on Neuropsychology. In his free time, Braden likes going to the gym, playing guitar, and going to the beach.
  • Emma Churchill

    Emma Churchill

    Emma Churchill was a Research Assistant with the UCSD Huntington’s Disease Clinical Research Center and a Master’s student for the department of Psychology at San Diego State University. Emma recently completed her MS at SDSU and had previously completed her undergraduate degree at SDSU, where she majored in Psychology and double minored in gerontology and counseling and social change. Emma is currently applying to PhD programs in hopes to become a clinical neuropsychologist. In her free time, Emma enjoys shopping for plants, walking with her dog, and poorly singing karaoke with her friends.