Jeffrey Kaye, MD

Jeffrey Kaye, M.D., is the Layton Endowed Professor of Neurology and Biomedical Engineering at Oregon Health & Science University. He is the director of ORCATECH and director of the NIA - Layton Aging and Alzheimer’s Disease Center. Dr. Kaye’s research has focused over the past two decades on understanding healthy aging using a variety of approaches ranging across the fields of genetics, neuroimaging, physiology and continuous activity monitoring. Dr. Kaye has received the Charles Dolan Hatfield Research Award for his work. He is listed in Best Doctors in America. He serves on many national and international panels and review boards in the fields of geriatrics, neurology and technology including as a commissioner for the Center for Aging Services and Technology (CAST), Chair of the International Society to Advance Alzheimer’s Research and Treatment (ISTAART), a member of the Advisory Board of AgeTech West, and on the Leadership Council of the Network on Environment, Services and Technologies for the American Society on Aging. He is an author of over 300 scientific publications and holds several major grant awards from federal agencies, national foundations and industrial sponsors.

Nicole Sharma, BA

Nicole Sharma, BA, is the OHSU Aging & Alzheimer’s Executive Director and the ORCATECH Manager. She has worked with ORCATECH for over 14 years and has an interest in the scalability of deployment of the ORCATECH Platform across new Life Lab cohorts around the world. Ms. Sharma graduated from Pomona College with a degree in Cognitive Science where she also conducted memory research and learned about research data analysis while interning at the UCSD Alzheimer's Disease Data Core.

Zach Beattie, Ph.D

Zach Beattie, Ph.D., is lead data scientist and data manager at ORCATECH.  As a biomedical engineer, his passion lies at the intersection of technology and health. He has spent several years in academia and the health and biotech industry where he has worked to help people live happier and healthier lives through technology.  Specifically, he developed a new technology with the ability to detect sleep apnea using non-contact sensors, and then innovated new features for Fitbit wearables that help individuals live healthier, more informed lives.  Currently Dr. Beattie is focused on ensuring data integrity during a significant overhaul to the ORCATECH platform and is specifically tasked with overseeing data transfer, algorithm development, and algorithm validation during this process.

Heather Schiffke, MATCM

Heather Schiffke, MATCM is the administrator for the Oregon Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (OADRC). She coordinates the operations and resources of the OADRC, working with researchers, staff and collaborators to implement and support research. Heather has over 20 years of experience in research and academic administration, including clinical trial coordination, pre and post-award grant administration. She received her Master’s degree in Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine from Yo San University in Marina Del Rey, California.

WanTai (Michael) AuYeung, Ph.D.

WanTai (Michael) AuYeung, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor and Postdoctoral Scholar focusing on algorithm development and analytics of the large and diverse data set at ORCATECH. He obtained his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Washington with a focus on predicting sudden cardiac arrest among subjects with heart failure. After his Ph.D., he worked as a Research Fellow at Massachusetts General Hospital with a focus on reducing false monitor alarms in intensive care unit. Currently at ORCATECH, Dr. AuYeung is involved in a number of projects which include development and validation of algorithms for estimating subjects’ behaviors such as sleep or step, and the MODERATE study.  

Zach Beattie, Ph.D. 

Zach Beattie, Ph.D., is lead data scientist and data manager at ORCATECH.  As a biomedical engineer, his passion lies at the intersection of technology and health. He has spent several years in academia and the health and biotech industry where he has worked to help people live happier and healthier lives through technology.  Specifically, he developed a new technology with the ability to detect sleep apnea using non-contact sensors, and then innovated new features for Fitbit wearables that help individuals live healthier, more informed lives.  Currently Dr. Beattie is focused on ensuring data integrity during a significant overhaul to the ORCATECH platform and is specifically tasked with overseeing data transfer, algorithm development, and algorithm validation during this process.

Raina Croff, PhD

Raina Croff, PhD, is an ORCATECH investigator who leads the SHARP (Sharing History through Active Reminiscence and Photo-Imagery) study. Additionally, Dr. Croff is Assistant Professor of Neurology at OHSU since 2015. Born and raised in Portland, OR, she received her PhD in anthropology from Yale University in 2009, with a focus on the African Diaspora. Dr. Croff’s work focuses on how culture impacts health and acts as a lens through which people interpret health literature, messaging, programming, and research participation. Her research seeks to increase physical activity and social engagement among older African Americans in ways that celebrate culture, history, and community memory.

Walt Dawson, PhD 

Walt Dawson, PhD is an Assistant Professor of Neurology at OHSU. Dr. Dawson studies the public policy implications of dementia, including its financial impact on families. His research interests include global health policy and financing long-term support. Dr. Dawson is also a Senior Atlantic Fellow for Equity in Brain Health with the Global Brain Health Institute at the University of California, San Francisco and faculty at PSU’s Institute on Aging.

Jeffrey Kaye, MD

Jeffrey Kaye, M.D., is the Layton Endowed Professor of Neurology and Biomedical Engineering at OHSU. He is the director of ORCATECH and director of the NIA Layton Aging and Alzheimer's Disease Center. Dr. Kaye’s research has focused on understanding healthy aging using a variety of approaches ranging across the fields of genetics, neuroimaging, and continuous activity monitoring. Dr. Kaye has received the Charles Dolan Hatfield Research Award for his work and is listed in "Best Doctors in America". He serves on many national and international panels and review boards in the fields of geriatrics, neurology and technology including as a commissioner for the Center for Aging Services and Technology (CAST), Chair of the International Society to Advance Alzheimer’s Research and Treatment (ISTAART), and on the Leadership Council of the Network on Environment, Services and Technologies for the American Society on Aging. He has authored over 300 publications and holds several major grant awards.

Allison Lindauer, ND, PhD

Allison Lindauer, ND, PhD is an investigator for the STELLA and Tele-STELLA studies. Dr. Lindauer is a nationally-certified gerontological nurse practitioner and scientist. As an assistant professor at OHSU's Layton Aging and Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, she cares for persons with dementia and their caregivers. With over 20 years’ experience in aging care, Dr. Lindauer conducts research on dementia caregiving and telehealth. As the leader of Outreach, Recruitment and Enrollment at the Layton Center, Dr. Lindauer oversees community-based activities and study recruitment. 

Lyndsey Miller, PhD, RN

Lyndsey Miller, PhD, RN, is an ORCATECH investigator and an Assistant Professor in the OHSU School of Nursing, with a research focus on improving dementia care and care planning. She is an investigator on three studies, each using behavioral biomarkers derived from ORCATECH’s in-home technology platform. These studies seek to: understand stress and health of family caregivers of persons with dementia [K01AG059839]; develop early detection of agitation among persons with dementia in memory care facilities [the MODERATE study]; and refine a care planning intervention [the SHARE-sense study]. Dr. Miller’s other research interests include topics related to family care dyads in the context of chronic illness, including behavioral interdependence in couples and joint decision-making involvement.

Lisa C. Silbert, MD, MCR, FAAN

Lisa C. Silbert, MD, MCR, FAAN, is an ORCATECH investigator and an Associate Professor in the Department of Neurology at OHSU School of Medicine. Additionally, she’s the director of the Neuroimaging Core at the Oregon Aging and Alzheimer's Disease Center as well as the Dementia Clinic at the VA Portland Health Care System. With ORCATECH, she leads the VA site of the CART research study. While she oversees an entire team of researchers at the center, her specific research focus is on the white matter lesions in the brain that cause dementia. Her numerous publications on Alzheimer’s and dementia research have been cited more than 2,000 times.

Kirsten Wright, ND, MS

Kirsten Wright, ND, MS is a Naturopath and an Associate Professor with the Department of Neurology at OHSU. She is a clinician-scientist with a history of working in biomedical and cognition research as well as in the health care industry. She obtained a Master's in Clinical Research from OHSU and a Master's in Integrative Medicine Research from the National University of Natural Medicine. 

Zach Beattie, Ph.D. - Data Director

Zach Beattie, Ph.D., is lead data scientist and data manager at ORCATECH.  As a biomedical engineer, his passion lies at the intersection of technology and health. He has spent several years in academia and the health and biotech industry where he has worked to help people live happier and healthier lives through technology.  Specifically, he developed a new technology with the ability to detect sleep apnea using non-contact sensors, and then innovated new features for Fitbit wearables that help individuals live healthier, more informed lives.  Currently Dr. Beattie is focused on ensuring data integrity during a significant overhaul to the ORCATECH platform and is specifically tasked with overseeing data transfer, algorithm development, and algorithm validation during this process.

WanTai (Michael) AuYeung, Ph.D.

WanTai (Michael) AuYeung, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor and Postdoctoral Scholar focusing on algorithm development and analytics of the large and diverse data set at ORCATECH. He obtained his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Washington with a focus on predicting sudden cardiac arrest among subjects with heart failure. After his Ph.D., he worked as a Research Fellow at Massachusetts General Hospital with a focus on reducing false monitor alarms in intensive care unit. Currently at ORCATECH, Dr. AuYeung is involved in a number of projects which include development and validation of algorithms for estimating subjects’ behaviors such as sleep or step, and the MODERATE study.  

Nora Mattek, MPH

Nora Mattek, MPH, is a Research Statistician at ORCATECH. Her primary focus is analyzing the in-home sensor activity data and clinical data collected from our NIH-funded longitudinal aging and technology studies. She assists with preparing datasets, performing statistical analyses and generating manuscripts. She also works with collaborators to initiate new projects and to ensure their success.

Thomas Riley - Development Lead

Thomas Riley is ORCATECH's Technical Lead, managing both frontend and backend development, testing of new sensors and implementing quality assurance protocols for collected data. He uses experience implementing these sensors and subject interactions to continue improving ORCATECH’s sensor suite. Mr. Riley is a graduate of the University of Portland with a degree in physics.

Kevin Cosgrove P.E., MSEE

Kevin Cosgrove P.E., MSEE, is a Senior Research Assistant with ORCATECH, serving as technical support, and attending to quality assurance for the ORCATECH platform. He validates new devices and software, including managing a cohort of trailblazing volunteers. Kevin brings a depth of technical industry experience in circuit design, program management and innovation to the ORCATECH team. Having cared for aging parents, he is motivated to increase our understanding and improvement of the aging process.

Jonathan Lee

Jonathan Lee is a Research Associate with ORCATECH that designs and develops ORCATECH user interfaces with a craftsman’s touch. Before bringing his talents to ORCATECH, Jonathan spent more than 10 years as a web developer.

Jennifer Marcoe, MA

Jennifer Marcoe, MA, is a research associate with ORCATECH and the Layton Aging and Alzheimer’s Disease Center. She is a project coordinator on multiple projects providing oversight, management, as well as completing home visits and neuropsychological testing for study participants. She is interested in subject recruitment, engagement, and retention and enjoys working with people. She has a background in health coaching and wellness and is a MINT trainer in Motivational Interviewing (MI).  Jennifer values learning and growing from subjects and being a part of programs that will help older adults live independently and maintain their quality of life.

Rachel Wall, MS, CCRP

Rachel Wall, MS, CCRP, is the VA site Research Coordinator for a nationwide project looking at how technology can be used to study the aging process. This VA and NIH funded project is called CART, or Collaborative Aging Research using Technology. Rachel also works with Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) data for various projects within the Neuroimaging Core for the Layton Aging and Alzheimer’s Disease Center

Amanda Mar, BS

Amanda Mar, BS, is a research coordinator with ORCATECH and the Layton Aging and Alzheimer's Disease Center. She is a research coordinator on multiple projects that involve recruitment, on-site visits, neuropsychological tests and data integrity. Amanda is a graduate from the University of California, San Diego with a Bachelor of Science degrees in Biochemistry/Cell Biology and Public Health.

Cierra M. Leon Guerrero, BS

Cierra M. Leon Guerrero, BS is a research assistant with the Layton Aging and Alzheimer’s Disease Center and ORCATECH. She administers in-home neuropsychological testing for ORCATECH study participants. She is interested in how using technology with older adults can develop a thorough understanding of how our brains age and inform early detection of cognitive decline. Ms. Leon Guerrero graduated from the University of Washington with a Bachelor of Science in microbiology.

Jonathan Wyatt

Jonathan is a Senior Clinical Research Assistant and is primarily involved in the DETECT-AD Study. His roles include offering preparing and consolidating visit supplies, data consolidation, managing components of in-person visits, and offering general support as needed.

Nathaniel Rodrigues - Field Tech Lead

Nathaniel Rodrigues is the Lead Field Technician at ORCATECH, collaborating with a great team to install and maintain the technology platform. He also assists in testing new equipment, creating new technology guides and developing training materials for satellite sites based in other cities across North America. Nathaniel is a graduate of Portland State University with a degree in Organismal Biology.

Steph Irish

Steph Irish is a Technical Research Assistant with ORCATECH.  She installs and maintains the in-home ORCATECH platform equipment.  Ms. Irish attended Fairhaven College in Bellingham, WA. She has 15 years of experience in behavioral & health research, including having worked with the UW’s Social Development Research Group and the Oregon Research Institute. 

Benny Kuang, AM

Benny Kuang, AM, is a Technical Research Assistant with ORCATECH. Benny is responsible with installing and maintaining ORCATECH’s in-home platform equipment in collaboration with the ORCATECH team. Prior to joining ORCATECH, Benny earned his Master’s in Social Work at the University of Chicago where he discovered his interest in working with older adults and advancing research on aging and dementia care.

Mya Navarro

Mya Navarro is a technical research assistant, and is responsible for installing and overseeing all of the technology in a home and all necessary repairs afterwards. She works along the tech team to collectively maintain the health of the technology in homes as well as solving difficult issues and brainstorming ideas to make work quick and efficient. Mya graduated from Oregon State University with a Bachelor's degree in Bio-Health Sciences and a minor in psychology. 

Sylvia White, ND

Sylvia White, ND, is a research clinician with the Layton Center and ORCATECH. She assesses research participants in both clinical and home settings and provides clinical support and education to research subjects and their families. Dr. White received her Bachelor's degree from Montana State University before attending the National College of Natural Medicine in Portland, where she earned her degree in naturopathic medicine. She has been a part of ORCATECH since 2007 when she started to work directly with the aging population. She initially recruited participants and administered assessments for the Bioengineering Research Partnership (BRP); she later expanded her role as research clinician to bring support to more studies and clinical trials. 

Elise Hanna, B.S.

Elise Hanna, B.S., is a clinical research assistant with ORCATECH and the Layton Aging and Alzheimer’s Disease Center. She administers in-clinic neuropsychological testing to study participants. She is excited to continue working directly with study participants, and to continue learning about how the use of technology can facilitate more accurate behavioral data capture throughout the aging process. Elise graduated from Westmont College with a degree in Behavioral Neuroscience.

Neil Thomas, MD

Dr. Neil Thomas is a cognitive neurologist at the Bruyère Memory Program and an investigator at the Bruyère Research Institute (a partnership between Bruyère, a Canadian research hospital, and the University of Ottawa). Prior to returning to Ottawa, Neil was a Research Fellow at the Layton Center and supported various ORCATECH research studies. At the BRI, he specializes in home-based assessments of individuals with cognitive impairment. He collaborates with ORCATECH by managing the Bruyère Life Lab, an extension of the ORCATECH Life Lab. It includes several homes outfitted with the ORCATECH technology platform. 

Antoine Piau, MD, PhD

Antoine Piau, MD, PhD, is a Medical Doctor within the Department of Geriatric Medicine at Toulouse University Hospital in France. He's also a Medical Journalist, working with France Televisions, and is also an expert consultant for the European Commission and the French National Health Authority. Between 2018 and 2019, Antoine was a visiting researcher at the Layton Aging and Alzheimer's Disease Center and ORCATECH; he collaborated on a variety of projects and publications, including studying how in-home technologies, like sensors, can help predict falls that take place at home. He's continued collaborating with ORCATECH since returning back to France. His research interests include digital biomarkers, artificial intelligence, and developing and evaluating technologies that support healthy aging.