Cognitive Neurology Fellowship

Dr. Silbert is outside smiling into the camera.
Lisa C. Silbert, M.D., M.C.R., is the director of OHSU’s Cognitive Neurology Fellowship. She is a physician-scientist who cares for patients with neurodegenerative diseases.

Drive innovation in cognitive neurology and dementia research

OHSU’s two-year cognitive neurology training program prepares fellows for a clinical career in cognitive neurology or an academic career in aging and dementia research.  

You will be part of OHSU’s nationally recognized clinical, research and technology programs that are redefining care for older adults.  

Fellowship objectives 

Fellows receive multidisciplinary training in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias at OHSU and Portland VA Medical Center, connected by a skybridge. Our goal is to help you develop hands-on expertise across the spectrum of aging-related subspecialty care and dementia research.  

You will have the flexibility to customize training to your interests and long-term career goals. Research and clinical themes include the study of: 

  • Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias
  • Vascular contributions to cognitive impairment and dementia
  • Healthy brain aging
  • Early biomarkers of cognitive decline
  • Technology and aging research
  • Caregiver research
  • Dementia therapeutics and prevention 

Clinical training

As a cognitive neurology fellow, you will be exposed to a wide range of patient populations and train in a variety of clinical care settings: 

You will work alongside physician scientists on the leading edge of neurologic care. Our teams work together to match patients with the latest treatments and technology to slow symptoms and meaningfully improve quality of life.  

Our bench-to-bed research capabilities enable us to offer therapies through clinical trials that are one of a kind or not widely available. 

Young female doctor shows an elderly man the screen on a computer notepad.

Research

Fellows work alongside scientists to pursue a wide range of research opportunities available through:  

Research experiences range from didactics in clinical care to ongoing projects. Topics and activities may include: 

  • Neuroimaging
  • Biomarkers
  • Continuous in-home technology-assisted assessment of movement and cognition
  • Cerebrovascular disease in older adults,
  • Neurology, genetics, neuropsychology and neuropathology of the older adults
  • Clinical trials 

Throughout your fellowship, you may also take part in research with physician-scientists focused on: 

  • Unique large-scale, longitudinal cognitive and neurological assessments for older adults 
  • 7T post-mortem imaging  
  • State-of-the-art MRI, amyloid and tau PET imaging 
  • Biomarker discovery 
  • The latest clinical trials in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias
  • Innovative in-home monitoring technology 
  • OHSU’s Brain Bank for access to tissue  

OHSU scientists have published hundreds of journal articles on discoveries related to aging, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. In 2025, our Oregon Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center earned $22.8 million in federal research funding.

How to apply  

We are now accepting applications for two fellowship positions. To apply, submit the OHSU application and email your CV to our program leaders: 

To qualify, you must be a graduate of an accredited training program in neurology and a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.

Fellowship leaders 

Lisa C. Silbert M.D., M.C.R., is professor in the Department of Neurology, co-director of the Oregon Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, and director of the VA Geriatric Neurology Fellowship Program. 

Apply now

Email fellowship leaders for details: 

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