University of Southern California · Social ScienceCognitive Health and Genetics Lab
Titus Johannes Galama · Los Angeles, California
Research Focus
Dr. Titus Johannes Galama's lab focuses on understanding cognitive functioning and dementia by leveraging genetic data and social science methodologies. Through the Understanding America Study, the lab aims to identify risk factors for Alzheimer's Disease and related dementias, using polygenic scores to assess how genetics influences cognitive decline. Their work seeks to connect genetic predispositions with behavioral and environmental influences to improve dementia prevention strategies.
Alzheimer's Diseasecognitive functioningdementiapolygenic scoresgenetic riskcognitive declinebehavioral factorsenvironmental factorsUnderstanding America Study
Research Aims
5AIM 01Genotype the Understanding America Study to produce polygenic scores for cognitive traits.
AIM 02Identify populations at risk of cognitive decline using genetic and environmental data.
AIM 03Investigate the role of genetics in resilience against cognitive decline related to adverse life events.
AIM 04Make polygenic scores publicly available to stimulate research in dementia and cognitive impairment.
AIM 05Analyze behavioral and environmental factors that influence Alzheimer's Disease risk.
Skills the Lab Values
genotypingpolygenic scoringlongitudinal data analysissurvey methodologydata visualizationstatistical modelingbehavioral analysisdata collection techniquesenvironmental assessments
Output against the department
Publications208top 31% of dept.24th of 77
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations9.8ktop 22% of dept.17th of 77
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.