Biography
Dr. Sephira Ryman is a Clinical Neuropsychologist, Associate Professor of Neurology at the University of New Mexico, and Associate Director and Clinical Core Co-Lead of the New Mexico Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. Her research focuses on understanding the biological mechanisms that contribute to neurodegenerative disease and translating these discoveries into new approaches for diagnosis, prevention, and treatment.
Dr. Ryman studied psychology and neuroscience at Wellesley College and earned her PhD in Clinical Psychology with specialized training in neuropsychology at the University of New Mexico. She subsequently completed her clinical internship at the University of California, Los Angeles and a fellowship in clinical and research neuropsychology at Stanford University Medical Center.
Personal Statement
Research
Dr. Ryman's laboratory investigates the mechanisms underlying cognitive and neurological decline across aging and neurodegenerative disease, with particular expertise in Parkinson's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, Alzheimer's disease, and vascular cognitive impairment. A major focus of the laboratory is understanding how cerebrovascular function, brain fluid and waste-clearance pathways, and the gut-brain axis contribute to the development and progression of neurodegenerative disease.
Her NIH-funded research uses advanced neuroimaging, physiological measures, fluid biomarkers, and microbiome approaches to study these mechanisms. Current projects include NIH R03- and R01-funded investigations of cerebrovascular and gut-brain mechanisms in Lewy body diseases. Her laboratory is also developing intermittent hypercapnia as a novel physiological intervention to enhance cerebral blood flow, cerebrospinal fluid dynamics, and brain waste clearance, with the goal of translating fundamental discoveries about brain clearance physiology into new therapeutic approaches for neurodegenerative disease.
Dr. Ryman also collaborates broadly on multidisciplinary research examining neuroimaging and molecular biomarkers, cognition, and neuropsychiatric functioning across Alzheimer's disease, vascular cognitive impairment, traumatic brain injury, and depression.
As Associate Director and Clinical Core Co-Lead of the New Mexico Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Dr. Ryman helps lead interdisciplinary research and clinical characterization of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias across New Mexico. Originally from New Mexico, she is particularly committed to building partnerships with communities throughout the state and expanding opportunities for New Mexicans to participate in and benefit from advances in dementia research.
Participate in Research
Individuals interested in learning more about ongoing studies, volunteering for research, or connecting with Dr. Ryman's research team may email agingstudy@mrn.org or call 505-803-5499.
Research Highlights
Dr. Ryman's work has been highlighted by UNM and national scientific media. Learn more about research examining the gut-brain axis in Lewy body disease:
Exploring the Gut-Brain Connection in Lewy Body Disease – UNM Health
Learn more about research investigating intermittent hypercapnia as an approach to manipulate brain fluid dynamics and potentially enhance waste clearance in neurodegenerative disease:
Researchers Study Whether Manipulating Carbon Dioxide Levels Might Enhance Brain Health – UNM HSC News
Support Our Research
Those interested in supporting ongoing research on Lewy body disease and neuropsychology can contribute to the Laura Ann White Fund Aiding Neuropsychological Research into Lewy Body Dementia:
Support the Laura Ann White Fund – UNM Foundation