Danielle Beckman – a neuroscientist driven by a microscopic obsession: Unravel how viruses play a role in brain pathology, 2025, Beckman

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Genomic Press

Danielle Beckman – a neuroscientist driven by a microscopic obsession: Unravel how viruses play a role in brain pathology

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Article Category: News
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Online Publication Date: 01 Jul 2025

Danielle Beckman – a neuroscientist driven by a microscopic obsession: Unravel how viruses play a role in brain pathology​

Open access

Page Range: 1 – 4
DOI: 10.61373/bm025k.0077


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This Genomic Press Interview features Dr. Danielle Beckman, a pioneering neuroscientist at the University of California, Davis, whose groundbreaking research bridges virology and neuroscience to uncover how viral infections trigger lasting neurological damage and accelerate neurodegenerative diseases.

Dr. Beckman's remarkable journey from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to becoming a leading expert in neurovirology showcases her innovative approach to developing translational animal models that illuminate the cellular mechanisms underlying Alzheimer's disease, Long Covid, and viral-induced brain pathology.

Working under the mentorship of renowned neurobiologist John Morrison at the California National Primate Research Center, she has revolutionized our understanding of how viruses like SARS-CoV-2, Zika, and HIV disrupt brain homeostasis, leading to neuroinflammation and cognitive decline that affects millions of patients worldwide.

Her pioneering work includes developing novel rhesus monkey models for Alzheimer's disease research, investigating the propagation of tau and amyloid pathology, and establishing critical connections between viral infections and neurodegenerative processes that contribute to conditions such as brain fog and memory impairment.

As an active member of the World Health Network's Long Covid advisory group, Dr. Beckman combines her expertise in advanced microscopy techniques with her passion for science outreach to advance therapeutic development and provide hope for patients suffering from post-viral neurological symptoms.

Her research, published in prestigious journals, represents a paradigm shift in understanding viral neuroimmunology and offers crucial insights for developing targeted treatments for neurodegenerative diseases and Long Covid.

At the same time, her commitment to mentoring Latin American scientists and advocating for diversity in STEM fields demonstrates her dedication to fostering the next generation of neuroscience researchers.

 

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Brazilian neuroscientist reveals how viral infections transform the brain through microscopic detective work

Dr. Danielle Beckman's innovative research at the California National Primate Research Center demonstrates how viral infections disrupt brain homeostasis, leading to neuroinflammation and cognitive decline. Her work provides crucial insights for developing treatments for Long COVID and...

www.eurekalert.org

News Release 1-Jul-2025

Brazilian neuroscientist reveals how viral infections transform the brain through microscopic detective work​

UC Davis researcher develops groundbreaking animal models to understand how viruses like COVID-19 trigger neurological damage and accelerate Alzheimer's disease

Reports and Proceedings
Genomic Press

image:
Danielle Beckman, PhD, University of California, Davis, USA.
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DAVIS, California, USA, 1 July 2025 – In a comprehensive Genomic Press Innovators & Ideas interview, Dr. Danielle Beckman reveals how her passion for microscopy has evolved into a mission to understand viral impacts on brain health, offering hope for patients suffering from post-viral neurological symptoms.

From Rio to Revolutionary Research

Dr. Beckman's journey from aspiring writer in Rio de Janeiro to leading neurovirology researcher exemplifies scientific determination. Her journey began to change during an undergraduate physiology course where she discovered her fascination with the brain. "I vividly remember that class and how fascinated I became with the brain," Dr. Beckman recalls. This pivotal moment launched her into neuroscience research, where she has remained dedicated ever since.

The personal dimension of her research became evident when her grandmother developed dementia symptoms. "This experience deepened my curiosity about what happens in the brain at the cellular level in Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia," she explains. This emotional connection drives her current work investigating how viral infections contribute to neurodegenerative processes.

Breakthrough Models Transform Understanding

Working under the mentorship of renowned neurobiologist Professor John Morrison at UC Davis, Dr. Beckman has revolutionized our understanding of viral neuroimmunology. Her team has developed novel rhesus monkey models that illuminate cellular mechanisms underlying Alzheimer's disease, Long COVID, and viral-induced brain pathology.

The research demonstrates how viruses like SARS-CoV-2 can infect neurons and trigger neuroinflammation within a few days after infection. "Unlike HIV, which induces a slower, progressive inflammatory process, our lab observed that SARS-CoV-2 can infect neurons and trigger neuroinflammation within just seven days," Dr. Beckman notes. These findings help explain the rapid onset of "brain fog" and cognitive symptoms experienced by COVID-19 patients.
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Long COVID Community Connection

As an active member of the World Health Network's Long COVID advisory group, Dr. Beckman bridges laboratory research with patient advocacy. "Over the past few years, I have connected with many people in the Long COVID community and formed friendships with individuals who are severely ill and desperately seeking help," she shares. This connection to affected communities drives her commitment to translational research.

Her ambitious goal reflects the urgency of the situation: "My biggest dream is to make a significant impact on the lives of people with neurological conditions following a viral infection." Currently, no approved treatments exist for Long COVID, highlighting the critical need for her research approach.

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The Genomic Press Interview in Brain Medicine titled "Danielle Beckman – a neuroscientist driven by a microscopic obsession: Unravel how viruses play a role in brain pathology," is freely available via Open Access on 1 July 2025 in Brain Medicine at the following hyperlink: https://doi.org/10.61373/bm025k.0077.

About Brain Medicine: Brain Medicine (ISSN: 2997-2639, online and 2997-2647, print) is a high-quality medical research journal published by Genomic Press, New York. Brain Medicine is a new home for the cross-disciplinary pathway from innovation in fundamental neuroscience to translational initiatives in brain medicine. The journal's scope includes the underlying science, causes, outcomes, treatments, and societal impact of brain disorders, across all clinical disciplines and their interface.

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Journal​

Brain Medicine

DOI​

10.61373/bm025k.0077

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