Makoto Ishii, M.D., Ph.D.
Principal Investigator & Assistant Professor
Dr. Makoto Ishii is a board-certified neurologist and a physician-scientist dedicated to both patient care and biomedical research focusing primarily on Alzheimer’s disease and related neurodegenerative disorders. He received his BSE from Princeton University and then enrolled in the Tri-Institutional M.D./Ph.D. Program in New York. Dr. Ishii completed his graduate studies with Dr. Jeffrey Friedman at The Rockefeller University where he examined the role of hypothalamic genes in the regulation of body weight and metabolism. After completing his clinical training in neurology at Weill Cornell Medical College, he joined the faculty at Weill Cornell Medicine to start his research program. His laboratory was the first to identify that amyloid-beta, a pathological driver of Alzheimer’s disease, can disrupt select hypothalamic neurons and leptin-signaling pathways leading to body weight and systemic metabolic deficits prior to significant memory impairment. Dr. Ishii joined the faculty at UT Southwestern in 2023, where he continues to provide clinical care at the Memory Clinic and lead a research laboratory with ongoing studies seeking to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the body weight, neuroendocrine, and behavioral deficits in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
Nil Saez Calveras, M.D.
Clinical Fellow
Dr. Saez Calveras was born and raised in Spain and received his medical degree from the University of Barcelona. During medical school, Dr. Saez Calveras also worked as a research intern at the Massachusetts General Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease in Boston under the mentorship of Dr. Teresa Gomez-Isla. There, he focused on validating new Tau PET radiotracers for Alzheimer's disease and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy. Dr. Saez Calveras moved to Dallas to start his residency as a research track resident in the Department of Neurology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. Currently, Dr. Saez Calveras is working with Dr. Ishii on evaluating the structural changes in the hypothalamus and other key brain regions in Alzheimer’s disease and aging and examining their relation to systemic metabolic, cognitive, and behavioral measures.
Glen Wickersham, M.S.
Research Assistant
Glen Wickersham is a Marine Corps veteran who recently earned his Master’s degree in Biology with a focus on Bioscience and Genomics from the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras in 2026. His graduate research focused on regenerative biology and gene expression analysis, leading to a first-author publication in the Journal of Marine Science and Engineering. Currently, Glen is a Research Assistant I at UT Southwestern, where he contributes to neuroscience research and laboratory management. Outside of the lab, Glen enjoys staying active through hiking and running, playing video games, and cooking.
Hannah Hittson, B.S.
UTSW Medical Student, Class of 2027
Hannah Hittson grew up in Dension, TX (where Dwight D. Eisenhower is from!) and received her bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from Baylor University. Hannah then attended Duke University for graduate school, where she studied the intersection of religion and medical ethics. In her free time, she loves to walk her dog Koda, go camping, and climb! Currently, Hannah is working with Dr. Ishii on studying the role of the hypothalamus in Alzheimer’s disease.
Elayne Joe, B.S.
UTSW Medical Student, Class of 2028
Elayne Joe grew up in Frisco, TX before earning her bachelor’s of science in biology at Emory University. During her undergraduate studies, she completed her honors thesis on infant white matter development under Dr. Sarah Shultz at the Marcus Autism Center, for which she received highest honors in the department. Currently, Elayne is an M.D. student at UT Southwestern investigating how the hypothalamus mediates the relationship between adiposity and cognitive function with Dr. Ishii. For her work in the lab, Elayne was awarded the 2026 American Academy of Neurology Medical Student Research Scholarship. In her free time, she enjoys modern calligraphy, playing card games and puzzles, and spending time with her two dogs!
Sansu Anand
Undergraduate Student Research Intern
Sansu Anand was raised in Dallas, Texas, where she has spent most of her life. She is currently pursuing her undergraduate degree in Neuroscience at the University of Texas at Dallas and is expected to graduate in May 2027. Following graduation, she plans to apply to medical school. Currently, Sansu is working in Dr. Ishii's lab, studying how body weight, systemic metabolism, and hypothalamic function are altered in Alzheimer's disease. Outside of her academic work, she enjoys working out at the gym, experimenting with new meal prep recipes, and listening to music.
Victor Soberanis
Undergraduate Student Research Intern
Victor Soberanis is a Dallas native. He is currently studying Neuroscience and Behavior at Columbia University, where he will graduate in 2029. After graduating, Victor is hoping to apply to medical school. Victor currently works in the Ishii Lab, where he is working to characterizing a transcription factor important for systemic metabolism and neurodegenerative disorders. In his free time, Victor enjoys reading classic literature, playing tennis, and expanding his book collection.
Cali Warren, M.S.
Research Assistant
Cali Warren grew up in Frisco, Texas. She attended Brigham Young University in Utah, earning both her undergraduate degree in microbiology and her master’s degree in cell biology and physiology. She previously worked on research projects focused on mitochondrial function, ketones, and insulin resistance in a metabolism lab for five years under the mentorship of Dr. Benjamin Bikman. Currently, Cali is working in the Ishii Lab studying how body weight, systemic metabolism and hypothalamic function are altered in Alzheimer’s disease. In her free time, Cali enjoys going to concerts, working out at Hotworx, trying new food and coffee shops, watching baseball, and spending time with her cat, Mazie.
Ian Chen, B.A.
Research Technician
Ian Chen was raised in Kaohsiung, Taiwan before moving to California in the sophomore year of high school. He earned his undergraduate degree from Swarthmore College in 2024, graduating with a major in neuroscience and a minor in chemistry. Currently, Ian is working in the Ishii Lab studying the role of the hypothalamus in Alzheimer’s disease. Outside of the lab, Ian enjoys playing sports such as tennis or volleyball, immersing himself in fantasy novels or shows, and pursuing self-improvement projects like playing the guitar and learning a new language.