Tom LaRocca is an associate professor in the Department of Health and Exercise Science and Center for Healthy Aging at CSU, and a member of the Molecular, Cellular and Integrative Neurosciences program.

His research focuses on understanding how to maximize healthy lifespan, also known as “healthspan.” Tom and his laboratory study multiple aspects of healthy aging, including cardiovascular, physical and metabolic functions, but they are especially interested in the biology of brain aging and dementias like Alzheimer’s disease, and in cellular and molecular changes that underlie these.

They also emphasize translational research, which is using laboratory science to develop practical applications or treatments for people. This includes testing new treatments in cells and model organisms, as well as using “big data” and computational approaches to understand patterns in RNA, DNA, proteins and other biomarkers.