Renã Robinson
Associate Professor of Chemistry and Dorothy J. Wingfield Phillips Chancellor’s Faculty Fellow | Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN, UNITED STATES
Expert in racial disparities in Alzheimer's disease and Alzheimer's triggers in peripheral organs. Advocate for inclusive research design.
Biography
An analytical chemist, Robinson looks at the role proteins play in Alzheimer's. She studies the role of lipid-related proteins in Alzheimer’s and their contribution to racial disparities in the disease. She also studies the role that peripheral organs—such as the heart, liver and kidneys—play in Alzheimer’s.
One of the primary challenges in studying these disparities is the relative dearth of African American tissue samples and study participants. Robinson is passionate about promoting the benefits of research participation in culturally sensitive ways.
Robinson became interested in pursuing Alzheimer's research in high school, inspired by interactions with the dementia patients her mother cared for.
Areas of Expertise (6)
African American Health
Alzheimer's Outreach
Racial Health Inequalities
Alzheimer's
Health Disparities
Minority Student Mentoring
Accomplishments (3)
Chemical and Engineering News Talented Twelve - 2016 (professional)
Awarded to 12 of the world's brightest young minds in chemistry each year.
Dorothy J. Wingfield Phillips Chancellor’s Faculty Fellowship - 2017 (professional)
Inaugural recipient of Vanderbilt fellowship named in honor of Phillips, BA’67, the first African American woman to receive an undergraduate degree from Vanderbilt. The fellowship supports midcareer faculty members who are leaders in diversity in STEM at the university.
Vanderbilt Chancellor's Global Voices Fellow - 2020 (professional)
Highly selective fellowship for Vanderbilt faculty committed to public engagement on important topics related to their research.
