Ludwig Scholars

Dr. Waites' biography and research.

Dr. Bradshaw earned her PhD in Biochemistry from Tufts University, where she studied the DNA-binding domain of SV40. She later transitioned from structural biology to immunology, joining the Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School as a research fellow in clinical immunology, before becoming a faculty member. 

Her research focuses on the role of the innate immune system—particularly microglia, monocytes, and macrophages—in neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD), with the goal of identifying therapeutic targets. While genetic studies directly link innate immunity to AD, the immune system’s role in PD remains an area of active investigation. Dr. Bradshaw is particularly interested in translating genetic discoveries into molecular insights to uncover potential therapeutic interventions in innate immune cells.

Working with colleagues, Itamar Kahn, PhD, recently investigated what makes one mouse brain different from another. The researchers found that, like human beings, each animal had specific patterns of activity: a neural fingerprint that could be used to identify it. As in humans, this individual variation appeared in brain networks associated with memory, decision-making and flexible behavior.

The researchers made this discovery using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), which employs a strong magnetic field to indirectly measure brain activity. Their results create a bridge for using precision fMRI in mice to further personalized medicine in humans.