Welcome to the VILLAPOL Lab!
Our lab pursues novel neurorestorative treatments for brain recovery through the lens of the periphery.
The Villapol laboratory is committed to the investigation of various therapeutic approaches for the repair of brain damage resulting from trauma. Additionally, we are dedicated to the advancement of treatments for Alzheimer’s disease.
Our research primarily delves into understanding inflammatory and neurodegenerative mechanisms, to develop innovative therapeutic strategies to reverse these processes and restore normal brain function.
Our research team actively explores methods to modulate peripheral signals and leverage the gut microbiome to support brain recovery. Furthermore, we harness cutting-edge technologies in neurorestorative treatments, including the utilization of nanoparticles designed to mitigate neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration associated with both brain injuries and Alzheimer’s pathology.
Our goal is to investigate cures for brain damage and for neurodegenerative diseases under a study platform that translates from animal models to patients.
Major Projects:
- Microbiome modulation in Alzheimer’s disease and traumatic brain injury
- Nanoparticles for Neurological diseases therapeutics
- Neuro-Long COVID and inflammation.
Interested in a Postdoctoral position in our lab? Check out our new Postdoctoral Training Program NIH T32 to study the connection between the brain and the periphery. Please send all inquiries and requests to svillapol@houstonmethodist.org
We are grateful for the R56 award from the National Institute on Aging for supporting our research on Alzheimer’s disease and brain injuries.
We thank to NFL Players Association for supporting our studies on Gut microbiome markers of sport-related brain concussion.
Our Team 2024
Dr. Sonia Villapol
Morgan Holcomb
Hannah Flinn
Dr. Austin Marshall
Marissa Burke
Dr. Paula Scalzo
Dr. Goknur Kara
Olivia Chang
Nhat Tran
Dr. Sirena Soriano
Villapol Lab Research Highlights
What the Gut Microbiome Can Tell Us About Concussions
Lingering Symptoms: Researchers Identify Over 50 Long-Term Effects of COVID-19
Nanoparticles: A Promising Tool for Traumatic Brain Injury
Medscape: The Role of Microbiome Modulation in COVID-19
Understanding Long-Covid: The Clue May Lie in The Gut