Dr. Jordan Schultz, PharmD, MSCS, BCACP
Dr. Schultz is a board-certified clinical pharmacist and a translational neuroscientist whose research focuses on understanding the pathological mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases by identifying medications and other environmental factors that affect disease onset and progression. Upon completion of his residency, Dr. Schultz practiced as a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist in the outpatient Neurology Clinic at the University of Iowa. While working full-time with patients suffering with neurodegenerative diseases, his patients constantly were asking him if there were any medications coming out that could help slow their disease. Dr. Schultz felt helpless each time he had to explain that there are currently no disease modifying treatments for their disease. He decided to turn my frustration into action and began probing large clinical databases, such as the Enroll-HD Database and Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI) Database, for clues about medications that could slow the progression of neurodegenerative diseases. Later, he wanted to put himself in a position where he could translate his epidemiological findings into real results for patients. Dr. Schultz was accepted into the Clinical Trials Methodology Course through NINDS. Through this program, he gained invaluable experience as a clinical and translational scientist.
Dr. Schultz’s drive to learn more about devastating diseases, like Parkinson’s Disease, and find treatment options for patients led him to his current role as a tenure-track, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Neurology, and Pharmacy Practice in the Carver College of Medicine at the University of Iowa. His lab continues to focus on utilizing novel neuroimaging measures to understand neurodegenerative processes, taking advantage of pharmacoepidemiologic data to advance our knowledge, and translating our findings into clinical trials.
Amy Ogilvie, MS, Graduate Research Assistant
Amy is currently working toward her PhD in Epidemiology at the University of Iowa. She grew up in the Iowa City area and completed her bachelor's degree in mathematics at the University of Cincinnati. Her research interests are in pharmacoepidemiology and health services research in Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease. In her free time, she enjoys baking, traveling, and spending time with her husband and corgi.
Stephen Cross, Clinical Trials Research Specialist
Stephen Cross earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Texas at Dallas in 1989. He worked in community and inpatient mental health services in Dallas for eight years before moving to Iowa in 1997. Since then, Stephen has worked in both clinical and research positions within UI’s Departments of Neurology and Psychiatry. He is a member of the National Association of Psychometrists (NAP) and obtained board certification as a Certified Specialist in Psychometry (CSP) in 2007. Since 2008, Stephen has primarily been devoted to research into Huntington’s Disease and Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1. He joined the Jordan Schultz Laboratory as a clinical trials research associate in 2020 in order to coordinate a study funded by the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research entitled “Assessing Target Engagement of Terazosin in Healthy Adults.”
Benjamine C. Preuschl Mihanda, Post-Baccalaureate Research Intern
Benjamine earned her bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience at Knox College in November of 2021. Originally from Spain, she joined the Schultz Lab in February of 2022 and coordinates Auto-HD 2.0, Wear-HD and Terazosin for AD studies, as well as assists the Nopoulos Lab with the ChANGE HD study. In her free time, Benjamine enjoys traveling, flipping furniture, reading, cooking, and long walks in nature.
Past Team Members
Sophie Nopoulos, ICRU Summer Student
As a born and raised Hawkeye, I am a pre-med undergraduate student majoring in Biology and minoring in Psychology with anticipated graduation in the fall of 2022 with a B.S. degree. I am currently working in the Schultz lab on an ICRU project regarding the predictive capabilities of biofluid biomarkers for Parkinson's disease. Additionally, I plan to gain various experiences including investigating terazosin as a disease-modifying treatment. In my free time, I enjoy escaping in a good book, being in the company of family and friends, and nature adventures!
Click the links below to view the poster and abstract Sophie recently completed.
Defining Clinical Progression of Juvenile-Onset Huntington’s Disease Poster
Defining Clinical Progression of Juvenile-Onset Huntington’s Disease Abstract
Erin Reasoner, Post-Baccalaureate Research Intern
Erin earned her bachelor’s degree in behavioral neuroscience and cell and molecular biology from Grand Valley State University in December 2020. She first began working with UIHC Department of Psychiatry during the summer of 2020, when she completed the University of Iowa’s SUMR (Summer Undergraduate MSTP Research) program under the mentorship of Dr. Peg Nopoulos. In January 2021, Erin joined the Schultz lab through the Post-Baccalaureate Research Internship program. She coordinates the TZ-HD and TZ-AD studies. Outside of the lab, Erin finds joy in baking pies, creative writing, and exploring nature with friends. Erin is currently enrolled in an MD-PhD program.
Amanda Heinzerling, MS, Research Associate
Amanda received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Truman State University in 2015 and her Master's degree in Epidemiology from the University of Iowa in 2021. Her research explored lifestyle factors impact Huntington's disease progression and the use of mental health services in Huntington's disease. Amanda worked on the Wear-HD, and Auto-HD 2.0 studies.
Alivia Brinker, Post-Baccalaureate Research Intern
Alivia is a Missouri native and earned her bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Missouri – St. Louis in 2019. She joined the Schultz Lab in June of 2019 and completed a Post-Baccalaureate Research Internship program working on the Auto-HD and TZ-PD studies. Alivia is currently in medical school.