Scientific Review Branch

Key Functions:

• Conducts peer review of research grant applications and contract proposals assigned to NIA.
• Recruits peer reviewers to provide expert advice on the scientific and technical merit of applications and proposals.
• Manages Chartered Review Committees and Special Emphasis Panels.

Read more about the scientific review process for Applicants and for Reviewers.

Ramesh Vemuri, Ph.D.
Chief

Birgit Neuhuber, Ph.D.
Deputy Chief

The branch is divided into four sections based on scientific and topic area. All Scientific Review Officers (SROs) are cross-trained between sections to manage the review caseload.

Check your grant application in eRA Commons to see which SRO has been assigned to you. Your SRO is the point of contact for any questions during the review process. If you cannot find what you are looking for, please email niasrb@nia.nih.gov.

Basic and Translational Sciences Section

Bita Nakhai, Ph.D.
Chief

• Greg Bissonette, Ph.D.
  Scientific Review Officer
  Neuroscience
• Joshua Park, Ph.D.
  Scientific Review Officer
  Biochemistry, Molecular & Cell Biology
• Nijaguna Prasad, Ph.D.
  Scientific Review Officer
  Biochemistry

Clinical Sciences Section

Ramona Dumitrescu, Ph.D., M.P.H.
Chief

• Nesar Akanda, M.D., Ph.D.
  Scientific Review Officer
  Neurology, Toxicology, & Cell Biology
• Maurizio Grimaldi, M.D., Ph.D.
  Scientific Review Officer
  Neuropharmacology & Toxicology
• Rajasri Roy, Ph.D., M.P.H.
  Scientific Review Officer
  Applied Psychology & Public Health/Health Policy

Social and Behavioral Sciences Section

Janetta Lun, Ph.D.
Chief

• Dario Dieguez, Ph.D., M.P.H.
  Scientific Review Officer
  Neurobiology & Neuropharmacology
• Kimberly Firth, Ph.D.
  Scientific Review Officer
  Social/Developmental Psychology & AD Caregiver Research
• Carmen Moten, Ph.D., M.P.H.
  Scientific Review Officer
  Developmental Psychology, Health Behavior & Education

Special Review, Information Resources and Policy Section

Birgit Neuhuber, Ph.D.
Chief

• Kaitlyn Hardell, Ph.D., M.P.H.
  Scientific Review Officer
  Comparative Biology & Epidemiology
• Ivan Rebustini, Ph.D.
  Scientific Review Officer
  Cell Biology & Developmental/Regenerative Biology
• Sandhya Sanghi, Ph.D., M.P.H.
  Scientific Review Officer
  Public Health & Social/Behavioral Health
• Mariel Jais, Ph.D., M.P.H.
  Scientific Review Officer
  Pharmacy & Immunology

Administrative Section

Isla Marie Brown
Supervisory Program Analyst

• Armilda Jimenez
  Lead, Extramural Support Assistant
• Kenja Lewis
  Extramural Support Assistant
• Sara Pourzal
  Extramural Support Assistant
• Joshua Richardson
  Extramural Support Assistant
• Cristina Salas
  Extramural Support Assistant/Pathway