Dr. Roberta Marongiu, assistant professor of genetics and neuroscience in the Department of Neurological Surgery at Weill Cornell Medicine, was recently featured in an interview with the American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) for her groundbreaking research on the role of biological sex and menopause in Parkinson’s disease (PD).
Roberta Marongiu, Ph.D.
As a faculty member in neurological surgery, Dr. Marongiu’s work focuses on the molecular mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases, using innovative genetic, viral, and animal model approaches. Her lab has uncovered critical insights into how ovarian hormones influence PD progression, particularly in relation to menopause. These findings provide a deeper understanding of sex differences in PD and could help shape more personalized treatment strategies for patients.
"Historically, research on Parkinson’s disease has largely overlooked sex-based differences, despite growing evidence that men and women experience the disease differently," said Dr. Marongiu. "Our goal is to unravel the biological mechanisms underlying these differences so we can develop more precise and effective treatments tailored to each patient’s needs."
Dr. Marongiu’s research was initially funded by an APDA Research Grant, which helped launch her career as an independent investigator. Since then, she has secured additional major funding, including a multi-million-dollar grant from Aligning Science Across Parkinson’s (ASAP) through The Michael J. Fox Foundation, to further investigate how biological sex and ovarian hormones affect the propagation of PD pathology from the gut to the brain.
Beyond her laboratory work, Dr. Marongiu is dedicated to advancing neurological research and advocacy. She serves as Advisory Board member and Scientific Lead in the US for the Women’s Brain Foundation, and co-authored a peer-reviewed article in Nature Medicine calling for a sex- and gender-informed approach to PD care and research. Additionally, she is co-founder and CEO of the nonprofit organization stoPD (Support and Training to Overcome PD), which provides complementary programs, education and support to improve the quality of life for people with PD and their caregivers.
The Department of Neurological Surgery at Weill Cornell Medicine is proud to support research that advances our understanding of neurodegenerative diseases and drives the development of innovative treatments for patients with Parkinson’s disease and other neurological disorders.
This article has been adapted from a piece previously published by the American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA).
To learn more about ongoing research in neurological surgery at Weill Cornell Medicine, visit neurosurgery.weill.cornell.edu/research.
