Our Foundation

IND’s non-profit, the Parkinson’s & Alzheimer’s Research and Education Foundation (PAREF), is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization focused on the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Established in 2004, the foundation supports research, education, support services, community outreach, and wellness activities for people affected by Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), Lewy Body Dementia (LBD), Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD), and other neurodegenerative diseases.

We exist because…

Neurodegenerative diseases affect millions of people worldwide, and their prevalence is increasing at a rate disproportionate to longevity. We know that these diseases result from progressive damage to cells in the brain and nervous system, but we must improve our understanding of these conditions and seek novel approaches for treatment and prevention. Neurodegenerative diseases develop decades before the first obvious symptoms begin. While there is no “magic pill” to prevent these disorders, implementing evidence-based, multimodal intervention strategies before clinical symptoms manifest can enhance brain health and may ultimately prevent or delay disease onset.

Our mission

Our mission is to support research initiatives, educational programs, supportive services, and community outreach for patients, caregivers, and families with neurodegenerative diseases. We seek to raise community awareness of the need for earlier, accurate diagnosis; new and emerging treatments; opportunities to participate in groundbreaking research to slow or stop progression, find a cure, and develop safer, more effective medications; and available educational and supportive services.

Our Impact

We offer educational resources – including a free online brain health course – that are available to the greater public.

We have multiple ongoing research studies that aim to identify more effective methods for accurate diagnosis, risk assessment, and precision care using biomarker development, brain imaging, and genetic testing.

We provide educational seminars, annual symposia, patient and caregiver support groups, wellness activities, and balance and safety workshops in the South Florida area.

Team

The development of new treatments for Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders, including essential tremor, dystonia, restless legs syndrome, Huntington’s disease, and atypical forms of parkinsonism, has long been the research focus of Dr. Isaacson. He has been involved in over 75 clinical trials and has served on national and international committees for many drug development programs and trials, as well as for the Parkinson Study Group and the movement disorders section of the American Academy of Neurology. Dr. Isaacson has authored or co-authored nearly 100 abstracts, journal articles, and book chapters. He lectures frequently and has presented abstracts at national and international scientific meetings and patient symposiums, and has trained numerous physicians in the injection of botulinum toxins. Dr. Isaacson has worked closely with national foundations, including the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. He is a member of the American Academy of Neurology and the Movement Disorders Society, among others, and has been recognized as Best Doctors in America, America’s Top Physicians, and Florida SuperDoctors.

Dr. Richard S. Isaacson, MD
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Richard S. Isaacson, MD, is a Harvard-trained neurologist and world-renowned researcher in the field of Alzheimer’s prevention and treatment. He founded and directed the first Alzheimer’s Prevention Clinic in the U.S. in 2013 at Weill Cornell Medicine/NewYork-Presbyterian. NOTE: Dr. Richard Isaacson conducts research but is not available for patient appointments at IND Florida.

Shannon Helfman, MPH, is a dedicated public health professional with expertise in research, project management, and operational efficiency. She holds a B.S. in Health Sciences and a Master of Public Health (MPH) from the University of Vermont, where she also minored in Integrative Medicine. Since joining our team in early 2023, Shannon has demonstrated a deep passion for driving positive change in healthcare. As our Associate Director of Operations, she leverages her skills to advance education, awareness, and community engagement in the area of neurodegenerative diseases. Shannon is committed to making a lasting impact on public health through innovative initiatives and collaborative partnerships.

Cornell-trained neurologist Kellyann Niotis, MD specializes in movement disorders, is the first fellowship-trained preventive neurologist. Her research focuses on personalized risk reduction for patients at-risk for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Lewy Body Dementia, and Parkinson’s. Her work has been published in many peer-reviewed journals and presented at national and international conferences. NOTE: Dr. Niotis conducts research but is not available for patient appointments through IND Florida.

Dr. Christine Greer, MD, MS
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Christine Greer, MD, MS, is a USC-trained ophthalmologist with fellowship training at Cornell in neuro-ophthalmology. In her practice, she treats common ophthalmic conditions, and performs eye surgery, but also diagnoses and treats more complex eye conditions such as eye movement disorders, double vision, and neurologic causes of vision loss. She has published in peer-reviewed journals and been quoted as an expert in the media. NOTE: Dr. Greer is not available for patient appointments through IND Florida.

Christopher Michael Janney, PhD, is a neuroscientist focused on the field of aging and neurodegenerative diseases. Dr. Janney earned a Doctorate in Neuroscience from Delaware State University (DSU), where he studied TDP-43 in astrocytes to understand the relationship of TDP-43 to neurodegenerative diseases. After completing his PhD, Dr. Janney worked as a postdoctoral scholar at Tufts University School of Medicine, Department of Neuroscience with Dr. Philip Haydon. His research sought to shed light on the relationship between glucose transport in the brain, specifically in astrocytes, and how that can affect sleep and circadian rhythms. His work has been published in scientific journals, and he has presented his findings at multiple conferences. Currently, Dr. Janney serves as our Principal Scientist and the Lab Manager at IND, where he is dedicated to unraveling the complexities of neurodegenerative diseases via blood-based biomarkers and understanding how precision medicine in the field of neurology can be used to prevent progression of neurodegenerative diseases.

Jannatul Dishary, MS, is a clinical research coordinator with expertise in data management and analysis. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences at Florida International University and her master’s degree in Medical Sciences from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine. Jannatul’s interest in helping those at risk for for developing Alzheimer’s and related dementias brought her to IND, and she aspires to one day practice as a physician in the field.

John Westine is a biochemist with an interest in pharmacology and drug discovery, particularly in the field of neurodegenerative diseases. With a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from Florida State University, John has established a solid foundation in the biochemical sciences. Currently serving as a Research Assistant at the Institute of Neurodegenerative Diseases, he aims to advance our understanding of neurodegenerative conditions, such as Alzheimer’s Disease, through the exploration of blood-based biomarkers with the goal of developing more effective treatments for these challenging illnesses.

Jess Lakis is a strategy consultant with over ten years of experience across the healthcare and education sectors. She has provided strategic and operational support at organizations ranging from small startups to large, multinational corporations. Jess worked closely with Dr. Isaacson in various capacities for two years before formally joining IND a year ago as the Director of Operations. Prior to working with Dr. Isaacson, Jess worked in nonprofit fundraising for five years at New York-Presbyterian Hospital, where she spearheaded the design and implementation of the development office’s first prospect management program. She earned her BS in Biology from Lafayette College, graduating early and with honors.

Dani is dedicated to enhancing education and support for individuals affected by neurodegenerative diseases. With a B.S. in education and a Masters in Education from the University of Pennsylvania, Dani plays a vital role in planning and overseeing a variety of educational initiatives and community programs. As our Education Director, Dani coordinates quarterly Educational Symposia and monthly Lunch & Learns, providing valuable resources and expert insights to patients and caregivers. Additionally, Dani helps oversee the Parkinson’s Wellness Center, which offers daily classes, support groups, and resources free of charge to the community, helping individuals improve their well-being while fostering a sense of connection and support.

Larissa Silva, MBA, is a Life Science Operations and Supply Chain Manager with over eight years of experience in operations, process improvement, and supply chain management. She holds an MBA in Business Analytics from St. John’s University in New York and a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from Brazil. At IND, Larissa leads logistics and inventory management and is dedicated to improving laboratory and operational workflows. She is committed to advancing Alzheimer’s research and contributing to meaningful innovation in healthcare.

Danny Angerbauer, MD, MPH

Hollie Hristov, RN, MSN, FNP-C

Licet Valois, LMSW, MPS, CDP

Nick Clute-Reinig, MSc

Juan Melendez, MD

Alon Seifan, MD, MS

Chelsea Brubeck, BS, CPT

Philip Sisser, BS

Helena Colvee, BS

Praveen Parthasarathy, BS

About Parkinson’s Disease & Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder and the costliest disease in the U.S. It affects over 5.8 million Americans and tens of millions of people around the world. While there are currently a few FDA-approved therapies that offer modest benefits, and there are some disease-modifying therapies currently being studied, there is no cure on the horizon. However, as many as 4 out of every 10 cases of AD may be preventable based on modifiable risk factors (based on the 2020 Lancet Commission Report). PAREF aims to educate the public about these lifestyle-based interventions for patients at risk.

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative brain disorder that causes tremors and difficulty with movement and coordination. Parkinson’s affects nerve cells—called neurons—in a particular part of the brain called the substantia nigra. These neurons normally produce dopamine, a brain chemical that relays messages between the substantia nigra and other parts of the brain that control muscle movement. These dopamine-producing neurons are slowly destroyed over time, eventually preventing normal control of movement. The cause of the neuronal degeneration is unknown. In the U.S., more than fifty thousand new PD cases are diagnosed each year. Symptoms of PD (which can include, but are not limited to, muscle rigidity, tremors, slowed movement, drooling, and difficulty with balance) may initially be mild and may affect one or both sides of the body.

Traditionally, neurodegenerative diseases have been divided into cognitive disorders (i.e. AD, FTD, LBD) and movement disorders (i.e. PD, MSA, PSP). This has resulted in the field of cognitive disorders operating independently from the field of movement disorders in terms of treatment, management, and research and development. However, we believe that there is substantial overlap between neurodegenerative diseases. By uniting the fields of cognitive and movement disorders, we believe we can gain a deeper understanding of their shared pathological mechanisms and find better opportunities for successful prevention.