Spotlight on Torsten Falk, PhD: Advancing Parkinson's Therapeutics
Research Professor, Neurology and Pharmacology
Director, Preclinical Parkinson's Disease Laboratory
Three therapeutic strategies:
- L-DOPA-induced dyskinesia | Novel pharmacological approaches to a major treatment complication
- Neuroprotection | Growth factor-mediated strategies to preserve dopamine neurons
- Drug delivery | Blood-brain barrier-penetrant glycopeptide candidates
Translational impact:
- Discovery → IP → Clinical translation
- Multiple patents
- Licensed technology
- Therapy advanced to clinical testing
Translation, Collaboration & Success:
Sustained external support:
- NIH/NINDS
- Michael J. Fox Foundation
- Arizona Biomedical Research Commission
- American Parkinson Disease Association
Recent Programs:
- NIH/NINDS R01: low-dose ketamine mechanisms
- MJFF: PNA5 for Parkinson's disease dementia
Why the work matters
20+ years spanning discovery, preclinical development, and clinical translation.
Multiple patents - and a therapeutic program advanced to clinical testing.
Collaboration entry points
Mechanism and target validation
Medicinal chemistry and drug delivery
Neurodegeneration models and clinical trials
Collaboration Opportunity
Build cross-departmental teams around Parkinson's therapies - and extend Falk Lab platforms to shared questions in neurodegeneration.
Spotlight on Helena Yip, MD
Associate Professor, Otolaryngology
Director, Laryngology, Voice, and Swallowing Center
Click here to see slides with images
Clinical highlights:
- Only fellowship-trained Laryngologist in Southern AZ
- Clinical practice - Voice disorders (vocal fold paralysis, professional voice), swallowing disorders (Zenkers diverticulum, cricipharyngeal dysfunction), Complex upper airway disease (laryngeal and subglottic tracheal stenosis)
- Close collaboration with UA Speech/Language/Pathology program, Banner interventional Pulmonology and Interventional GI.
- Manuscript publications:
- 2024: 7
- 2025: 3
- 2026: 7
Medical Student Mentorship:
- David Ahmadian, Nader Wehbi, Natalie Demirjan (current ENT residents)
- Vicki Liu, Kyle Cook, Troy Weinstein, Megna Rao (will apply for ENT residency this year)
- Youssef Hassan, Alex Miller, Maryam Ahmed, Tamman Kamal, Phil Tseng, Fyona Liyanage
Associate Director, CUP program (2025-present)
- Directed inaugural CUP research symposium April 2026
- Introduced flexible laryngoscopy procedure, for CUP patients (donor grant for disposable scopes/monitor)