The Brain Blog Team

Our Brain Blog Team is dedicated to giving you the most trustworthy, unbiased, and accurate information. All Brain Blog articles are based on scientific evidence and written by our team of supplement specialists and brain health experts. We work hard to make brain health supplements and brain-nutrition-related information easy to understand and actionable so you can make the best decisions for yourself and the people you love.

Dr. John Nolan, PhD

Professor John Nolan is a Fulbright Scholar and currently holds a Chair for Human Nutrition Research at the School of Health Science, Waterford Institute of Technology, Ireland. Prof Nolan is the Founder and Director of the Nutrition Research Centre Ireland (NRCI) and is also the Principal Investigator of the Macular Pigment Research Group (MPRG, a specialized research group within this centre). HOWARD CHAIR IN HUMAN NUTRITION, FULBRIGHT SCHOLAR, ERC FELLOW, was born and raised in the Republic of Ireland, where he studied Science at the Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT). It was at WIT where Professor Nolan obtained his primary degree and also completed his PhD. He then worked at the Medical College of Georgia in the US as part of the Fulbright Scholar Program. Upon successful completion of the Fulbright Scholarship, he returned to Ireland, where he established the Macular Pigment Research Group. This group of scientists have spent 18 years studying the role of nutrition for the eye and brain, with some

His research group studies the role of nutrition for vision, cognitive function and prevention of age-related disease. In 2011, Prof Nolan won a prestigious European Research Council (ERC) research grant to study the impact of nutritional supplementation on visual function via two major clinical trials (CREST 281096; Central Retinal Enrichment Supplementation Trials). These trials identified how targeted nutrition can improve visual function for the general population, and for patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Current studies at the NRCI are investigating the link between nutrition and brain health and function, and over the last number of years the Nolan and team have published novel papers on how targeted nutrients enhance cognitive function for the general population and improve quality of life for patients suffering with Alzheimer’s disease. Nolan’s work has had a major societal impact for patients suffering with AMD and for enhancing vision of the general population; for recognition, the CREST project was recently selected for presentation at a high-level conference entitled ‘EU Research & Innovation in Daily Life’, which took place at the European Parliament in Brussels to highlight the impact of EU-funded research and innovation in daily life.

Prof Nolan has published 106 peer-reviewed scientific papers on his area of research (4926 = citations, H index = 43). In 2014, he successfully edited a CRC Press Taylor & Francis Group book publication entitled “Carotenoids and Retinal Disease.” He has also edited a special issue in the prestigious Journal Molecular Nutrition and Food Research (MNF) “Nutrition for the Eye and Brain”. Professor Nolan has editorial roles at the European Journal of Ophthalmology and the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease. A major career highlight is his role as Chair of the International Brain and Ocular Nutrition Conference (BON Conference), which is held at Downing College, Cambridge University (www.bonconference.org). See www.profjohnnolan.com for further details and access to his scientific publications and full academic profile.

Dr. James Stringham, PhD

Dr. James Stringham is an internationally recognized authority in the field of nutrition and eye health focusing on the many facets of visual performance. Dr. Stringham is a principle investigator and has designed and led numerous studies. He has authored or co-authored over 35 research papers on visual performance, macular health, blue light/screen time, contrast sensitivity, glare recovery and more, primarily in relation to the use of dietary supplements including lutein, zeaxanthin, meso-zeaxanthin, carotenoids, and others. He has taught at six universities, including the University of Georgia and Duke University Medical School, and won numerous academic awards.

Dr. James Stringham earned doctoral degrees in experimental psychology and neuroscience from the University of New Hampshire in 2003. During postdoctoral appointments at Harvard medical School and the Medical College of Georgia, he conducted research on the effects of the dietary carotenoids lutein zeaxanthin, and meso-zeaxanthin on age‐related macular degeneration, visual performance, and the plasticity of the visual system. Subsequent positions have included senior vision scientist with the Air Force Research Laboratory, and research professor at the University of Georgia and the Duke Eye Center. He is continuing his research on the effects of nutrition on visual performance, neurophysiology, and cognition in both normal and clinical populations.

He is also a founder of Maculearn, a transatlantic partnership between the Waterford Institute of Technology, Ireland and Salus University Pennsylvania College of Optometry. MacuLearn is a new online learning resource allowing optometrists and eye care technicians to complete certified training about the importance of nutrition to eye health at their desk or using a mobile device.

Dr. Rebecca Power, PhD

Rebecca is a recent PhD a the Nutrition Research Centre Ireland in Waterford Institute of Technology. Rebecca has a keen interest in the role of nutrition for optimising health and wellbeing, with a specific interest in the potential role of nutrition in maintaining cognitive health and reducing the risk of neurological diseases, namely Alzheimer’s disease. Her current project, the Cognitive Impairment Study (CARES), is investigating the role of nutrition supplementation on cognitive function among individuals with mild cognitive impairment in comparison to age-matched controls. This research is being performed under the supervision of Professor John Nolan, Professor Stephen Beatty and Professor Riona Mulcahy, and support from Dr Robert Coen.

Rebecca has previously worked as a Research Technician on the European Research Council-funded Central Retinal Enrichment Supplementation Trials (CREST), which investigated the impact of enrichment of macular pigment on visual performance. Rebecca holds a BA (Honours) in Health Promotion. She has also completed an MSc (by Research) in sedentary behaviour, which involved characterising the habitual physical activity and sedentary patterns of individuals with peripheral arterial disease. In 2018, Rebecca was awarded the School of Health Science student of the year award in WIT.

Dr. Ríona Mulcahy, MD, PhD

Professor Ríona Mulcahy was appointed Consultant Physician in General and Geriatric Medicine at University Hospital Waterford in 2000 and Undergraduate Dean, Royal College of Surgeons, Ireland in 2011. Her areas of specialist interest include Dementia, Stroke, Parkinson’s Disease and Poly pharmacy in the Elderly. She has also extensive ongoing research including collaboration with Professor John Nolan in Waterford Institute of Technology looking at the role of nutrition in Dementia and Age related Macular Degeneration.

Lori Jo Vest

Lori Jo Vest is the epitome of our culture's busy entrepreneur. Besides running her growing business, PopSpeed Digital Marketing, she recently launched a podcast to help young professionals navigate the landmines of the business world. Lori has written extensively in the health and wellness categories, including patient/consumer education, health and wellness education programs, and national and regional healthcare networks. Learn more about Lori.

Nathan Clinton-Barnett, OTD

Nathan R. Clinton-Barnett OTD, MSOT, OTRL is the Executive Vice President of SAFE BALANCE, a comprehensive fall prevention system for healthcare systems and providers utilizing a multifactorial assessment-to-intervention process. An Occupational Therapist by trade, Nathan holds a Master’s Degree in OT (MSOT) from SVSU and a Clinical Doctorate in OT (OTD) from Chatham University.

Debbie Hampton

Debbie Hampton is the author of Sex, Suicide and Serotonin:Taking Myself Apart, Putting Myself Back Together (Inspirational Series). She recovered from decades of depression, a suicide attempt, and a resulting brain injury to become a leading blogger in the brain-health arena, inspirational writer, and well-known voice in the mental health community. Her work has been featured on MindBodyGreen, TinyBuddha, Elephant Journal, and Huffington Post and has attracted a raving fan base on social media. Debbie writes about lifestyle, behavior and thought modifications, alternative therapies, and mental health practices she used to rebuild her brain and life to continue to find joy and thrive and tells you how to do the same. Learn more about Debbie or read her full article on her blog the thebestbrainpossible.com.

Sara Uffelman

Sara is a graduate of the University of Michigan and has also studied Design and Marketing at Central Saint Martins University of the Arts, London. She is an expert in Adobe Creative Suite and maintains extensive knowledge of web design, product design, and branding. She has spent the past 4 years studying nutritional supplementation and the science behind supplemental carotenoids (Lutein, Zeaxanthin, and Meso-Zeaxanthin) underneath the Avantius Group company.

Michelle Jonna

Michelle became an advocate for Memory Health® because she wanted to supplement her healthy lifestyle. As a mother of three small children and living a busy lifestyle, Michelle wanted a holistic approach to boost mental clarity, focus, mood improvement and sleep. She found Memory Health® after extensive research on multiple supplements. Michelle has written numerous articles on brain-health related topics. She is the founder of Michelle's Custom Designs.

David Lemieux

David Lemieux is an experienced performance marketing professional with a hybrid digital marketing background. His background and passion for performance marketing solutions led him to launch Be More Digital, LLC. Since then his portfolio has expanded across healthcare, manufacturing, civil engineering, fitness, ecommerce, electronics, franchise, restaurant chains and retail.

John Lauer

John has extensive background in medical device sales, medical disposables, medical business development, global sales training and sales leadership development. He brings 25 years of leadership experience between Stryker Corporation and Medtronic where he demonstrated his skill set as a strong leader and decisive problem-solver with the ability to develop and scale Startup & Enterprise Sales organizations within the Medical Device-Technology space including Orthopedic, Spine & Capital Equipment. John also has a wide net of national contacts including Hospital C-Suite, KOL Physicians (Ortho, Spine, PCP's), Sales Leaders, Sales professionals and Industry C-Level Executives. John currently serves as Vice President of Sales with Safe Balance, a medical technology startup and has brought consistent and exponential growth for the company along with entry into new markets and expanded reach nationally. John is a graduate of Central Michigan University- Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Marketing.

Experience: Culture Change Agent,-Performance based work environment, Strengths in Hiring Direct and 1099 Sales & Leadership Talent. Inside Sales Team Development, Sales Strategy development, P & L proficient, Acquisition experience, Capital, Disposables, Business Development, Sales Operations, Global Sales Training & Sales Leadership Development Certifications. Talent Based Hiring Certified- Gallup.

Lisa Walker

Lisa Walker is the proud mom of two adorable (but feisty) sons. She created Neighborhood Sprout as a passion project to share her love of homeownership with others, and she enjoys writing home- and community-related articles in her spare time. When they’re not tackling their latest DIY home project, she and her husband, Jake, love taking their boys trail hiking and beach combing.

Ava Rosinski

Ava became an advocate for Memory Health® while looking for a healthy nootropic to boost her brain function while studying. A fellow student recommended Memory Health® and Ava became hooked. Ava graduated from Grand Valley State University where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Advertising and Public Relations.

ALESSANDRO BORTOLOTTI

Alessandro became an advocate for Memory Health® while researching brain health for a college project. He came across Memory Health® as a proven intervention for protecting brain health and preventing dementia. Alessandro is currently a student at Michigan State University.

Ericka Gro

Ericka Gro is a content writer by passion and profession. She started her journey with Techvando, a digital marketing company that helps websites grow their business. She primarily writes for guest post articles falling under various niches. The main area of her interest and expertise in healthcare. She enjoys reading and writing about healthcare, mindfulness, and well-being to educate people about being happier and lively. Her work has been published on many high authority websites. She believes that writing is of effective ways to communicate at better levels.