STONY BROOK, N.Y. (Diya TV) — For three decades, Dr. Joe Verghese devoted himself to the care and research of older adults, working with them in order to better understand aging and the changes they undergo as it occurs. For the last half-month or so, he’s done that along with yet another title: chair of the Department of Neurology at Stony Brook University’s Renaissance School of Medicine. His appointment, officials said, marks one of the major steps the university has made toward neurological research and care.

Dr. Verghese is from Kerala, India. He comes with a rich background in neurology and geriatrics, focusing on gait disorders and dementia in old age. His research has focused on links between mobility and the decline in cognitive functions. He was instrumental in publishing highly cited, groundbreaking studies in the medical literature.

“We are really looking forward to having Dr. Verghese as our new chair. His track record of clinical excellence and innovative research will surely benefit us greatly as we continue to grow our neurology services and research efforts,” said Peter Igarashi, Renaissance School of Medicine dean.

Before coming to Stony Brook, Verghese led many significant positions at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center in New York City. The two latter institutions made him successful in positions, namely, director of the Division of Cognitive and Motor Aging, with contributions to developing clinical programs that would help improve patients’ quality of life with old-age-related neurological conditions.

The School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, on Long Island, houses one of the best neurology departments in New York State, with its established cutting-edge research and special care for stroke, epilepsy, and movement disorders. His appointment arrives at a time when the department will look toward expanding its neurodegenerative disease research in light of the population’s aging.

I feel privileged to be joining Stony Brook University at such an exciting time in the history of neurology,” Verghese stated. “I look forward to working with the talented team here to advance our understanding of neurological diseases and improve care for patients.”.

His work on cognitive aging has opened new pathways in terms of treatment and care, especially for conditions like Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, which are expected to affect millions of Americans in the coming decades. The National Institutes of Health fund has funded Verghese’s work, and he received international recognition.