Nicole K. Polinski PhD

Nicole is our scientist on staff managing the MJFF Inflammation and Preclinical Tools and Models portfolios. Nicole works with academic groups, contract research organizations, and pharmaceutical partners to facilitate the Foundation's efforts to generate, characterize, and widely distribute novel, research-enabling tools for the PD drug development and fundamental research communities.

Nicole earned a BA in Biology from Kalamazoo College and a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Michigan State University. Her previous research focused on characterizing and improving gene therapy in the aged brain for use in age-related neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's disease. In addition to her experience researching Parkinson's disease, Nicole also has experience advocating for investment in neuroscience and Parkinson's disease research on Capitol Hill with the Society for Neuroscience and MJFF Public Policy Program. Nicole is passionate about the Foundation's mission and contributing toward a cure for Parkinson's disease.