SHARON SANZ SIMON, PHD
Mental Health, Neuroscience & Aging
WELCOME
About Me
I am an Associate Research Scientist at Columbia University Irving Medical Center
(at the Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain and the Department of Neurology at at the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons).
I trained in Clinical Psychology and Neuropsychology at the University of São Paulo before joining Columbia University as Postdoctoral Fellow in the Laboratory of Prof. Yaakov Stern, where I investigate reserve & resilience factors to promote healthy cognitive aging and dementia prevention.
My research has been focused on non-pharmacological interventions to promote brain/mental health, enhance cognition, health behaviors and quality of life in older adults, including those at risk of Alzheimer`s disease and Related Dementia (ADRD). As I have conducted clinical trials in Brazil and in the US, I have particular interest in sociocultural and environmental factors that influence health behaviors and interventions, as well as disparities/inequities in mental health, aging, and dementia.
EDUCATION
What and Where I've been learning
POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP - COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY - NEW YORK
(USA)
September 2018 - 2022
RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP - HARVARD UNIVERSITY - BOSTON
(USA)
July 2015 - June 2016
PHD IN SCIENCES/PSYCHIATRY - UNIVERSITY OF SÃO PAULO (BRAZIL)
December 2012 - June 2017
BACHELOR IN PSYCHOLOGY - PONTIFICAL CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF SÃO PAULO (BRAZIL)
January 2003 - December 2009
GRANTS, SCHOLARSHIPS, HONORS & AWARDS
SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH
NON-PHARMACOLOGICAL INTERVENTION
Nicastri, C.M., Simon. S.S., McFeeley, B., Ledreux, A., Hakanbsson, K., Granholm, A., Mohammed, A.H., Daffner, K.R. (2022). BDNF mediates improvement in cognitive performance after computerized cognitive training. Alzheimer's & Dementia: Translational Research & Clinical Interventions (In Press).
Simon, S.S., Hampstead, B.M., Nucci, M.P., Ferreira, L.K., Duran, F.L.S., Fonseca, L.M., Martin, M.G.M., Ávila, R., Porto, F.H.G., Brucki, S.M.D., Martins, C.B., Tascone, L.S., Amaro, Jr E., Busatto, G.F., Bottino, C.M.C. (2020) Mnemonic strategy training modulates functional connectivity at rest in mild cognitive impairment: results from a randomized controlled trial. Alzheimer & Dementia: TRCI. 6(1): e12075. (Link)
Simon, S.S. ,Castellani, M., Belleville, S., Dwolatzky, T.Hampstead, B.M, Bahar-Fuchs, A. (2020). The Design, Evaluation and Reporting on Non-Pharmacological, Cognition-Oriented Treatments for Older Adults: Results of a Survey of Experts. Alzheimer & Dementia: TRCI. (Link)
Simon, S.S., Hampstead, B.M., Nucci, M.P., Duran, F.L.S., Fonseca, L.M., Martin, M.G.M., Ávila, R., Porto, F.H.G., Brucki, S.M.D., Martins, C.B., Tascone, L.S., Amaro, Jr E., Busatto, G.F., Bottino, C.M.C. (2019). Training gains and transfer effects after mnemonic strategy training in mild cognitive impairment: A fMRI study. International Journal of Psychophysiology, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2019.03.014. Link
Batista, A.X., Bazán, P.R., Conforto, A.B., Martin, M.D.G.M., Simon, S.S., Hampstead, B., Figueiredo, E.G., Miotto, E.C. (2019). Effects of Mnemonic Strategy Training on Brain Activity and Cognitive Functioning of Left-Hemisphere Ischemic Stroke Patients. Neural Plasticity. doi: 10.1155/2019/4172569. Link
Simon, S.S., Hampstead, B.M., Nucci, M.P., Duran, F.L.S., Fonseca, L.M., Martin, M.G.M., Ávila, R., Porto, F.H.G., Brucki, S.M.D., Martins, C.B., Tascone, L.S., Amaro, Jr E., Busatto, G.F., Bottino, C.M.C (2018). Cognitive and brain activity changes after mnemonic strategy training in amnestic mild cognitive impairment: evidence from a randomized controlled trial. Frontiers of Aging Neuroscience, doi: 10.3389/fnagi.2018.00342. Link
Simon, S.S., Tusch, E.S., Fend, N.C., Hakansson, K.; Mohammed, A.H.; Daffner, K.R. (2018). Is Computerized Working Memory Training Effective in Healthy Older Adults? Evidence from a Multi-Site, Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Alzheimer Disease, 10:380; doi: 10.3233/JAD-180455. Link
Miotto, E.C., Batista, A.X., Simon, S.S., Hampstead, B.M. (2018). Neurophisiologic and Cognitive Changes Arising from Cognitive Training Interventions in Persons with Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Systemtic Review. Neural Plasticity, doi: 10.1155/2018/7301530. Link
Simon, S.S., Cordás, T.A., Bottino, C.M.C. (2015). Cognitive Behavioral Therapies in older adults with depression and cognitive deficits: a systematic review. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry; 30(3): 223-33. doi: 10.1002/gps.4239. Link
Horie, N.C., Serrao, V.T., Simon, S.S., Gascon, M.R.; Dos Santos, A.X.; Zambone, M.A., Del Bigio de Freitas, M.M., Cunha-Neto, E., Marques, E.L.; Halpern, A., de Melo, M.E., Mancini, M.C., Cercato, C. (2015). Cognitive Effects of Intentional Weight Loss in Elderly Obese Individuals With Mild Cognitive Impairment. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 101(3):1104-12. doi: 10.1210/jc.2015-2315. Link
Simon, S.S., Yokomizo, J.E., Bottino, C.M.C. (2012). Cognitive intervention in amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment: A systematic review. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 36(4): 1163-1178. Link
PSYCHOSOCIAL & COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE
Simon, S.S., Lee, S., Gu, Y., Mensing, A., Noofoo, D., Nazario, G.H., Babukutty, R.S., Stern, Y. (2022). Leisure activity engagement across adulthood predicts cognitive change after 5 years: Does gender and age matter? Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society (In Press).
Simon, S.S. (2021). Good News for Dementia Prevention: Multiple Behavioral Features Are Associated With Markers of Brain Pathology in the Preclinical Phase of Sporadic and Autosomal Dominant Alzheimer’s Disease. Biological Psychiatry. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsych.2021.02.001. Link
Simon, S.S., Lee, S., Stern, Y. (2020). Personality‐cognition associations across the adult life span and potential moderators: Results from two cohorts. Journal of Personality. https://doi.org/10.1111/jopy.12548. Link
Simon, S.S., Varangis, E. Stern, Y. (2020). Associations between personality and whole-brain functional connectivity at rest: Evidence across the adult lifespan. Brain and Behavior. doi: 10.1002/brb3.1515. Link
Batista, A.X., Bazan, P.R., Conforto, A.B., Martins, M.G.M., Hoshino, M., Simon, S.S., Hampstead, B., Figueiredo, E.G., Castro, M.P., Michelan, D., Amaro Jr., E., Miotto, E.C. (2018). Resting state functional connectivity and neural correlates of face-name encoding in patients with ischemic vascular lesions with and without the involvement of the left inferior frontal gyrus. Cortex, 113: 15-28. doi: 10.1016/j.cortex.2018.11.016. Link
Simon, S.S., Tusch, E.S., Holcomb, P.J., Daffner, K.R. (2016). Increasing Working Memory Load Reduces Processing of Cross-Modal Task-Irrelevant Stimuli Even after Controlling for Task Difficulty and Executive Capacity. Frontiers of Human Neuroscience, 10:380; doi: 10.3389/fnhum.2016.00380. Link
COGNITIVE & NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT
Fonseca, L.M., Haddad, G.G., Mattar, G.P., Oliveira, M.C, Simon, S.S., Guilhoto, L.M. Busatto, G.F., Zaman, S., Holland, A.J., Hoexter, M.Q., Bottino, C.M.C. (2018). The validity and reliability of the CAMDEX-DS for assessing dementia in adults with Down syndrome in Brazil. Brazilian Journal of Psychiatry, doi:10.1590/1516-4446-2018-0033. Link
Simon, S.S., Ávila, R.T., Vieria, G., Bottino, C.M.C. (2016). Psychometric properties of the Brazilian version of the Multifactorial Memory Questionnaire for elderly. Dementia Neuropsychologia, 10(2):113-126. Link
Yokomizo, J.E., Simon, S.S., Bottino, C.M.C. (2014). Cognitive screening for dementia in primary care: a systematic review. International Psychogeriatrics, 26 (11), 1783-1804. Link
PATHWAY TO INDEPENDENCE AWARD (K99/R00)
National Institute of Aging (NIA), National Institute of Health (NIH) - USA
September 2022
September 2022
IMPACT-AD
Semptember 2022
Institute on Methods and Protocols for Advancement of Clinical Trials in ADRD
(Training Program in Clinical Trials)
BUTLER-WILLIAMS SCHOLARS PROGRAM - NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF AGING (NIH-NIA)
July 2021
This is a brief and concise description of your personal/professional award or recognition. Take the opportunity to explain why you were selected, and any other helpful details to showcase your talents.
HONORABLE MENTION - EARLY CAREER AWARD
Professional Interest Area (PIA) Nonpharmacological Intervention (NPI)
Virtual Alzheimer Association International Conference (AAIC) & NIA-PIA Day (ISTAART)
August 2020
This is a brief and concise description of your personal/professional award or recognition. Take the opportunity to explain why you were selected, and any other helpful details to showcase your talents.
NELSON BUTTERS AWARD:
BEST POSTDOC RESEARCH LINK
ANNUAL MEETING OF INTERNATIONAL NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL SOCIETY (INS)
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL.
July 2019
This is a brief and concise description of your personal/professional award or recognition. Take the opportunity to explain why you were selected, and any other helpful details to showcase your talents.
LAIRD S. CERMAK AWARD:
BEST RESEARCH IN THE FIELD OF MEMORY LINK
ANNUAL MEETING OF INTERNATIONAL NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL SOCIETY (INS)
NEW ORLEANS, USA.
February 2017
Title: Cognitive and Neuroimaging Changes After Mnemonic Strategy Training in Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impaimrent : a Randomized, Single-Blind Study.
ANA MARIA POPPOVIC AWARD:
BEST BACHELOR THESIS
FACULTY OF HUMANITIES AND HEALTH, PONTIFICAL CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF SÃO PAULO (PUC-SP)
SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL
June 2010
Title: Neuropsychological Rehabilitation on Mild Cognitive Impairment: a systematic review
FELLOW TRAVEL AWARD
ALZHEIMER ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
LONDON, UK
July 2017
Title: Transfer Effect After Mnemonic Strategy In Amnestic MCI: Evidences From A Randomized Single-Blind Study.
Research results were selected as an oral presentation in the AAIC 2017.
SCIENCE WITHOUT BORDERS SCHOLARSHIP (PHD)
BRAZILIAN GOVERNMENT
July 2015 - June 2016
I received this scholarship during my year as a research fellow at Harvard Medical School - Boston (USA).
LEMANN FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP (PHD)
October 2015
I received this scholarship during my year as a research fellow at Harvard Medical School - Boston (USA).
CAPES SCHOLARSHIP (PHD)
BRAZILIAN GOVERMENT
May 2013 - May 2015
I received this scholarship during the PhD program at University of Sao Paulo, Brazil
