In this episode of Her Path to Success, we sit down with Dr. Sarah Hopp, Associate Professor and researcher at the Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases.

Dr. Hopp’s work focuses on microglia—the immune cells of the brain—and how they influence the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Her research highlights a fascinating dual role: microglia can help clear harmful proteins like tau, but when dysregulated, they may also contribute to the spread of these toxic aggregates.

We explore:

• How microglia impact brain health and aging
• The role of tau protein and neuroinflammation in Alzheimer’s
• Why calcium signaling in brain cells matters
• The future of therapies targeting the brain’s immune system

This conversation offers a powerful look into how cutting-edge neuroscience is reshaping our understanding of neurodegenerative diseases—and what that means for the future of medicine.