Mary Sundsmo, M.B.A. , Shiley-Marcos ADRC Program Director, started her career at UCSD in 1980 in the labs of Drs. Miller and Saitoh, and joined the Shiley-Marcos ADRC in 1998 as Program Director.  She earned her undergraduate degree in Microbiology and her M.B.A. from the University of California, Irvine in 1969 and1999, respectively.  Ms. Sundsmo was an integral part of the UCSD-initiated legislation of assembly bill AB 2328, bill that called for expanding research opportunities for affected individuals, and was recognized with a Certificate of Appreciation on behalf of the UC Office of the President and the California Department of Health Services.  She has been elected to the Administrators Steering Committee of the 30 nationwide National Institute on Aging (NIA)-funded Alzheimer’s Research Centers and serves as a liaison between the NIA and members of the Committee.  Mary is a contributing writer for the George G. Glenner Center newsletter and serves as their Community Ambassador and on their Medical Advisory Board.  She volunteers as a speaker for community caregiver, patient support, Kiwanis, and Rotary groups.  

 

Pamela Bell, joined the ADRC in 1990.  She provides Office Management support in the areas of administration, human resources, logistics, space planning, clerical staff and student supervision. Pam also provides expertise and assistance with computer hardware, software, webmaster and network administration for the ADRC faculty and staff.

 

 

Sue Johnson has been with the Shiley-Marcos Alzheimer's Disease Research Center since 1997.  Sue has been the assistant for the ADRC's founder and now Professor Emeritus of Neurosciences, Dr. Robert Katzman, since 1997 and her projects have been numerous.   Some of these include the initiation of an international journal publication and editorial board, as well as the publication of a book on the history of AD research.  Ms. Johnson is the Conference Coordinator for the ADRC's annual Continuing Medical Education conference, attended by an average of 300 medical professionals who come from all over the world to learn of the most recent advances in Alzheimer's Disease Research from the ADRC faculty and guest speakers. 

 

Beata Santiago , Administrative Assistant, handles participant scheduling and administrative tasks required to effectively operate the dynamics at the ADRC. She has been a vital part of the ACRC since 1988. She is the friendly voice you hear when you contact our center.

 

Dennis Nowak , Fiscal Assistant, earned an A.S. degree in Electronic & Electrical Technology from Penn State University. He joined the ADRC after eight and a half years at the Alzheimer’s Disease Cooperative Study (ADCS) here at UCSD.

 

 

Christina Gigliott, Ph.D., received a B.S. in Human Development (2000), a B.S. in Horticulture (2001), and her M.S./Ph.D. in Human Development (2006) from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, where she also earned a certificate in Gerontology. Her research focus was on the non-pharmacological interventions that enhance well-being for people with dementia, including Horticulture Therapy. She is the Community Health Program Supervisor at the ADRC and is involved with facilitating community programs, giving talks, and developing and disseminating outreach materials. She is the liason between the ADRC and the community, as she is responsible for providing outreach and education to physicians as well as potential participants about AD and related dementias, as well as our center's ongoing and new research projects.

 

Joseph Toledo , B.S. , Administrative Analyst, handles the complex financial records of the ADRC Cores, Pilots, and Projects.  He earned his B.S. in Commerce and Accounting in 1980 from the San Sebastián College in the Philippines.  He joined the ADRC in 1998, after years of working in UCSD's Department of Medicine.