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Xiang Fang

Xiang Fang

Clinical Core Education on AD/ADRD Research

University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston (UTMB)

Personal Statement

As a clinical core investigator for the Houston Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, my primary objective is to advance the collective understanding of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias through targeted recruitment, rigorous data analysis, and the mentorship of the next generation of researchers. My career is defined by a commitment to addressing the multifactorial nature of neurodegeneration, bridging the gap between clinical leadership and fundamental research in neuroimmunology.

I currently serve as the Medical Director and Division Chief of Neurology and Memory Disorders at UTMB, where I also lead the Alzheimer's Disease and Memory Disorders Program. My clinical expertise in neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative conditions, including Alzheimer’s, mild cognitive impairment, and multiple sclerosis, provides a critical foundation for my work in the ADRC. Over the past two decades, my research has explored the intricate mechanisms of lipid and glucose metabolism, mitochondrial function, and oxidative stress as drivers of brain health and disease. This extensive body of work, reflected in over 110 peer-reviewed publications, has been supported by consistent funding from the National Institutes of Health and the American Heart Association.

I leverage my dual experience as a clinician and scientist to ensure the successful identification and retention of study participants while contributing to the center’s broader mission of community education. By integrating my background in neuroinflammation and metabolic pathways into the Clinical Core, I aim to provide unique insights into the biomarkers and progression of AD, ultimately moving us closer to effective prevention and treatment strategies for the millions of individuals affected worldwide.

Biography

Dr. Xiang Fang is a Professor of Neurology at the University of Texas Medical Branch, where he serves as the Medical Director and Division Chief of Neurology and Memory Disorders. He earned both his Doctor of Medicine and Doctor of Philosophy from Hunan Medical University in China in 1993. Following his doctoral studies, he completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Iowa in 1998. Dr. Fang then pursued further clinical training in the United States, completing a medical internship at Harbor Hospital in Baltimore and a Neurology Residency at UTMB in 2010.

A board-certified neurologist, Dr. Fang specializes in neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and multiple sclerosis (MS). In addition to his clinical leadership of the UTMB Alzheimer’s Disease and Memory Disorders Program, he is a prolific researcher with over 110 peer-reviewed publications spanning two decades. His research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of neurodegeneration, specifically investigating lipid and glucose metabolism, inflammation, mitochondrial function, and DNA damage. His work has been supported by significant extramural funding from the National Institutes of Health and the American Heart Association.

In his role as a Clinical Core Investigator for the Houston Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Dr. Fang oversees participant recruitment, data analysis, and community education. He is also deeply committed to mentorship, training the next generation of neurologists and scientists in the field of memory disorders.

Xiang Fang