Astrid M. Suchy-Dicey, PhD, Associate Professor, Director Clinical Neurosciences, and Principal Investigator of the Brain Aging Study at HMRI is an epidemiologist dedicated to unraveling risk and etiology in neurodegenerative disease. 

Her research focuses on the methodology for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting imaging, plasma biomarkers, cognitive testing, and social determinants pertaining to vascular and Alzheimer’s diseases, with a particular interest in health disparities. She leads multiple independent, NIH-funded research aimed at understanding risk and resilience factors in brain aging in American Indians, Alaska Natives, and other marginalized populations. Some of these projects include Plasma phosphorylated tau protein and Alzheimer’s disease in American Indians; Resilience, cultural alignment, social support, and brain aging; Psychological factors, community, and brain aging; Bilingualism as a protective factor of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD).

Dr. Suchy-Dicey also holds leadership positions at University of Washington (UW) Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Washington State University (WSU) Institute for Research and Education to Advance Community Health, and with the Strong Heart Study cohort. Dr. Suchy-Dicey earned her MS and PhD in epidemiology at the University of Washington, with dual concentrations in Public Health Genetics and Quantitative Methods. She has a background in molecular pathology, and advanced certification in machine learning.

Her research interests include: epidemiology of chronic diseases related to aging; complex systems of balance in human physiology; health disparities in U.S. minority populations.