Meet The Team
Brittany Butts, PhD
Principal Investigator
Dr. Butts' research focuses on pathophysiologic mechanisms in cardiovascular diseases and outcomes in persons living with cardiovascular disease, including symptoms and brain health. Dr. Butts first got involved in research during her undergraduate studies at the University of the Virgin Islands, where she studied the phylogenetic history of a species of coral, Acropora, that display a great amount of morphological variability, using genetic sequencing. As Dr. Butts moved into research at the graduate level, she realized she was lacking a solid understanding of human health and disease, a key component of translational research. To gain knowledge and hands-on clinical experience vital to meeting her research goals, Dr. Butts completed a BS degree in nursing at Georgia State University. Dr. Butts completed her doctoral training at Emory University, where she was able to successfully combine her basic science and clinical knowledge. Dr. Butts completed her postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine.
Dr. Butts is currently an Assistant Professor at Emory University School of Nursing where she continues her translational research and teaches Pathophysiology. Her research contiues to have a translational approach to identifing pathophysiologic processes in cardiovascular disease. Dr. Butts has had multiple NIH-funded studies, including her current ongoing studies.
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PubMed Bibliography
Principal Investigator
Dr. Butts' research focuses on pathophysiologic mechanisms in cardiovascular diseases and outcomes in persons living with cardiovascular disease, including symptoms and brain health. Dr. Butts first got involved in research during her undergraduate studies at the University of the Virgin Islands, where she studied the phylogenetic history of a species of coral, Acropora, that display a great amount of morphological variability, using genetic sequencing. As Dr. Butts moved into research at the graduate level, she realized she was lacking a solid understanding of human health and disease, a key component of translational research. To gain knowledge and hands-on clinical experience vital to meeting her research goals, Dr. Butts completed a BS degree in nursing at Georgia State University. Dr. Butts completed her doctoral training at Emory University, where she was able to successfully combine her basic science and clinical knowledge. Dr. Butts completed her postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine.
Dr. Butts is currently an Assistant Professor at Emory University School of Nursing where she continues her translational research and teaches Pathophysiology. Her research contiues to have a translational approach to identifing pathophysiologic processes in cardiovascular disease. Dr. Butts has had multiple NIH-funded studies, including her current ongoing studies.
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PubMed Bibliography
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Enid Swatson
Clinical Research Coordinator II Enid is a Clinical Research Coordinator II working on the MVP, CARDI, and E2 studies. Enid completed a Master of Public Health degree at the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University, focusing on Sexual Reproductive Health and Population studies. Prior to working with Dr. Butts, she was a graduate research assistant at the Rollins Global Health Department examining the associations between neurodevelopment and cardiovascular health in children and young adults. |
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Jordan Watson
Clinical Research Coordinator I Jordan is a recent Emory University graduate working as a Clinical Research Coordinator I. Jordan earned both a Bachelor's of Science degree in Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology and a Bachelor's of Arts degree in African American Studies, graduating with Highest Honors. Her academic interest lies in increasing diversity and representation in clinical trials as a means of addressing inequities In health. She is passionate in her pursuit to understand how neurodegenerative diseases disproportionately affect minority populations and how access to healthcare can be improved in underserved communities. |
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Julia Kamara
Undergraduate Student Julia Kamara is a first-year undergraduate student from Los Angeles, California. She is majoring in Nursing and hopes to pursue a career as a Nurse Practitioner. Her interest in research lies in bringing more awareness to Alzheimer's and its precursors. Prior to working with Dr. Butts, Julia worked at the UCLA Broad Stem Cell Research Center at Dr. Gomperts's lab, focusing on the effects that smoking and vaping have on the myoepithelial cells in the lungs. At Emory, she is involved as the Community Service Chair in the Complex Residence Hall Council, and she explores her Jewish heritage at Emory through Chabad and Hillel. In her free time, Julia loves to play tennis at the Woodruff P.E. Center and go on walks at Lullwater Park. |
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Sofie Ragins
Undergraduate Student Sofie Ragins is an undergraduate student at Emory University from Hopewell, New Jersey. She is majoring in Chemistry with a pre-medical path. On campus, her involvements include Emory EMS, Women’s Club Volleyball, APO Service Fraternity, and PhiDE medical fraternity. She is passionate about advancing the understanding of cardiovascular health and investigating socioeconomic factors contributing to the rise in cardiovascular disease. |
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Arin Watson
Undergraduate Student Arin Watson is a second-year undergraduate student at Emory, originally from Atlanta, GA. She is currently undecided for her major, but hopes to pursue Pharmacology following her undergraduate career. Prior to working with the Butts Lab, Arin worked with an Orthopedic Surgeon from Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, while maintaining campus involvements such as FirstSTEM, The Kitchen Table, and Emory’s Black Women Initiative. Arin is dedicated to recognizing and researching chronic health conditions in underrepresented communities through socioeconomic surveys and techniques and furthering health literacy for those same communities. |
Hayden Herring
PhD Student
PhD Student
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Ali Tfaily
PhD Student Ali holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Master’s degree in Neuroscience. After moving to the United States, Ali completed a postgraduate research year at Emory and another year at Yale, conducting proteomic studies in Alzheimer’s disease. Currently a PhD student, Ali is interested in biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease and stroke, with a particular interest in predicting cognitive impairments and enhancing the quality of life for patients. |
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Gracelyn Mai
Undergraduate Student Gracelyn Mai is a first year undergraduate student from San Jose, California. She is majoring in Neuroscience and Music. At Emory, she is involved with ENSA and the triathlon club. She is interested in researching factors contributing to the development of Alzheimer’s and investigating therapeutic interventions for Alzheimer’s. |
We also work closely with the amazing research team in the Wharton Lab: https://www.whitneywhartonlab.org/our-team
Past Team Members
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Emily Buchi BSN 2024 Research Project: Examining Telomere Length, Telomerase, and Perceived Stress in Family Caregivers of People with Heart Failure Emily presented her research project at the Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association conference in April 2021, where she won 2nd place for best poster. Andrea Madariaga BSN 2023, Highest Honors Thesis Project: Xanthine Oxidase and Dyspnea in Heart Failure Patients Andrea presented her honors thesis at the 2023 Southern Nursing Research Society Annual Conference. Ashley Bostek BSN 2021, Highest Honors Honors Thesis Project: Increased Plasma Soluble Adhesion Molecules in Persons Exposed to SARS-CoV-2 Ashley presented her honors thesis project at the Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association conference in April 2021, where she won 2nd place for best poster. Catrina Smith BSN 2020 Catrina completed a independent study project, The Effects Of Exercise On Telomere Length In Persons With Heart Failure. Catrina presented her project at the Heart Failure Society of America conference in October 2020. Gianna Celenza MN 2022 Gianna's indepentent study was a comprehensive literature review, titled Shared Pathologic Mechanisms in Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction and Alzheimer’s Disease. |
Hannah Hudson BSN 2024, Highest Honors Honors Thesis Project: Examining the Impact of Racial Stress on Fatigue and Inflammation in Black Adults with Heart Failure: Implications for Patient Care Hannah presented her research project at the Southern Nursing Research Society conference in February 2024, where she won 1st place for best student poster. Rachel Young BSN 2024, Highest Honors Thesis Project: Impact of RAS Function for Those with Risk of Developing Alzheimer’s Disease Rachel presented her honors thesis at the 2024 Southern Nursing Research Society Annual Conference. Erica Davis, PhD, RN PhD 2016 Dissertation Project: Relationships among Dietary Patterns, Metabolites, and Symptoms in Persons with Heart Failure. Jacob Moore BSN 2022 Honors Thesis Project: Diet and Inflammatory Cytokines in Black Adults with Heart Failure Jake presented his honors thesis project at the Southern Nursing Research Society conference in New Orleans, March 2022. |