Leah Cuddy’s research focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying neurodegeneration and cognitive dysfunction in Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. She is interested in understanding the physiological role of angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE1) in the brain and how ACE genetic variants increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. FDA-approved medications that target ACE1 exist for the treatment of hypertension, and her work could provide insight as to whether these drugs could potentially prevent or treat Alzheimer’s disease. Dr. Cuddy is also interested in elucidating mechanisms that cause dysfunctional lysosomal trafficking in neurodegenerative diseases and lead to the aggregation of pathological proteins such as Ab42 and a-synuclein. Dr. Cuddy uses transgenic mouse models, cell lines and human iPSC derived neurons to investigate these questions.