Dr. Contreras’ previous research focused on using neuroimaging and brain connectomics to investigate how Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology emerges through the breakdown of brain networks well before clinical symptoms appear. Currently, she is studying how increased neuroinflammation, alongside genetic and social factors, affects diverse populations at higher risk for dementia. A key aspect of her research is examining how APOE status influences neuroinflammatory biomarkers, particularly in non-white aging populations. She aims to uncover how genetic risk factors for AD, such as the APOE4 allele, vary across racial groups, enhancing our understanding of the interaction between biological and genetic factors in the disease.