Chadwick Hales, MD, PhD

Chad Hales MD, PhD, is an assistant professor in the Department of Neurology at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia.  He obtained a Bachelors of Science in biochemistry and molecular biology, with a minor in religion, from the University of Georgia (UGA) in Athens, Georgia. During his time at UGA, he gained an interest in research and completed his honors thesis investigating U3 small nucleolar RNA binding proteins under the guidance of Michael Terns PhD.  He then matriculated at the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta, Georgia, for medical school and graduate studies, obtaining a PhD in molecular medicine under James Goldenring, MD, PhD, and Nevin Lambert PhD. Dr. Hales’ PhD studies focused on the small GTPase Rab11 and its role in intracellular trafficking and plasma membrane recycling. Following medical school, he moved to Emory for his medical internship, neurology residency including chief resident position, cognitive fellowship, and additional research training under Allan Levey MD, PhD, and Jim Lah MD, PhD at Emory, as well as with Steve Potter PhD in the Laboratory of Neuroengineering at Georgia Tech. Currently Dr. Hales’ research is focused on understanding the molecular mechanisms that contribute to AD, frontotemporal dementia and other neurodegenerative disorders. His laboratory utilizes a combination of basic cellular and biochemical techniques, including iPSC and derived lineages, as well as immunohistochemistry of postmortem human brain, proteomics, and cellular physiology with microelectrode arrays. He also continues to maintain an active role in teaching medical students and residents, as well as sees patients in the Cognitive Neurology Clinic, on the Emory University Hospital consult service, and by assisting with AD clinical trials.