Dr. Yo-El Ju is a physician-scientist studying the relationship of sleep and neurodegenerative diseases, and the Barbara Burton and Reuben Morriss III Professor of Neurology at Washington University in St. Louis. Dr. Ju earned her undergraduate degree in neurobiology at Harvard College, followed by her M.D. at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. She completed her residency training in neurology, fellowship training in sleep medicine, and a master’s degree in clinical investigation, all at Washington University in St Louis. She joined the faculty at Washington University School of Medicine in 2011. Dr. Ju co-directs the Washington University Center on Biological Rhythms and Sleep (COBRAS).

Her research focuses on 1) the bidirectional relationship between sleep disturbance and Alzheimer’s Disease; and 2) REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) which is often a prodromal manifestation of synucleinopathy such as Parkinson’s or Lewy body disease. She is the recipient of multiple awards for her research, including the Wayne Hening Sleep Medicine Investigator Award from the American Academy of Neurology, and the Young Investigator award from the World Association of Sleep Medicine. In addition to her research work, she sees patients at the Washington University Sleep Medicine Center and at Barnes-Jewish Hospital.

To learn more, visit the Yo-El Ju lab website as well as Dr. Ju’s own site. Follow her on Instagram and LinkedIn.