Penn FTD Center - New Staff Highlight

This summer, the Penn FTD Center has welcomed two new staff members. Read the details below on the new staffers and how you may meet them at the Center!

Ibrahima Diallo

1. What is your role at the Penn FTD Center? 

I am a Clinical Researcher Coordinator (CRC) at the Penn Frontotemporal Degeneration (FTD) Center. 

2. Can you describe your academic and work experience prior to this role? 

Prior to this role, I worked as a Research Technician in the Digital Neuropathology Lab (DNPL) at Penn, where I was responsible for tissue preparation and annotation. I was also actively involved in a medicinal chemistry lab at Saint Joseph’s University, where I synthesized small molecules designed to bind to the N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor (NMDAR) and probe neurodegeneration. In addition to my research experience, I worked at Rite Aid as a Pharmacy Technician, where I regularly interacted with patients and supported their medication needs. 

3. How might you be interacting with patients?

As a CRC, I will interact with individuals throughout various stages of the research process. Patients will likely see me during study visits, where I’ll help with tasks such as obtaining informed consent, collecting medical histories, and guiding them through cognitive testing. I will also follow up with patients between visits to check on their well-being, and address any questions they may have. Additionally, I will be with them during Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans depending on the study. You can expect to see me at the Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine (PCAM), the Pavillion, and Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP). 

4. Tell us about a hobby or activity you enjoy! 

Things I enjoy doing in the city are attending sporting events, going plane spotting at PHL airport (you get to see old passenger planes like the 747), and going to concerts. Additionally, I enjoy the multicultural food scene the city has to offer.

Riya Chaturvedi

1. What is your role at the Penn FTD Center?

My role at the Penn FTD is Clinical Research Coordinator.

2. Can you describe your academic and work experience prior to this role?

As a Research Assistant in the Cognitive Neuropsychology Lab at Temple University, I explored everyday functioning and cognition in older adults with healthy cognition, mild cognitive impairment, and dementia. I was involved in recruitment of participants, cognitive testing, administration of study protocol, and data analysis. I also worked closely with technologies such as virtual reality and smartwatches to understand how they can be used to monitor and assess patient symptoms, physiological variables, and cognitive and functional decline in older adults. Currently, I am completing a manuscript for publication that assesses associations between activity patterns of older adults and self-reported cognitive decline and self-reported use of compensatory strategies. My research interests include treatment and therapy development for those experiencing cognitive decline as well as understanding how specific biomarkers may be linked to cognitive and behavioral symptoms in different neurodegenerative diseases. 

3. How might you be interacting with patients?

I will be working as a clinical research coordinator on the Penn FTDC clinical trials team, playing a key role in recruiting, scheduling, and running the patient activities for our portfolio of ongoing interventional clinical trials

4. Tell us about a hobby or activity you enjoy!

Outside of academia, I love to dance. I have a certificate in Kathak, which is an Indian classical dance form. In my free time, I enjoy practicing and performing Kathak and creating original choreographies.