--- title: Fall 2026 InnovAGE Cohort --- [Skip to content](https://m2d2challenge.com/fall-2026-innovage-cohort#main-content) [![](https://m2d2challenge.com/hs-fs/hubfs/M2D2%20logo%20v1.png?width=1088&height=447&name=M2D2%20logo%20v1.png)](https://m2d2challenge.com/) - Programs & Challenges Show submenu for Programs & Challenges - [$200K Challenge](https://m2d2challenge.com/200k-challenge) Show submenu for $200K Challenge - [Areas of Interest](https://m2d2challenge.com/200k-challenge-areas-of-interest) - [FAQs](https://m2d2challenge.com/200k-challenge-faqs) - [Barracuda Bowl](https://m2d2challenge.com/barracuda-bowl) Show submenu for Barracuda Bowl - [Areas of Interest](https://m2d2challenge.com/barracuda-bowl-areas-of-interest) - [FAQs](https://m2d2challenge.com/barracuda-bowl-faqs) - [InnovAGE](https://m2d2challenge.com/innovage) Show submenu for InnovAGE - [Fall 2025 InnovAGE Cohort](https://m2d2challenge.com/fall-2025-innovage-cohort) - [Spring 2025 InnovAGE Cohort](https://m2d2challenge.com/spring-2025-innovage-cohort) - [Spring 2026 InnovAGE Cohort](https://m2d2challenge.com/spring-2026-innovage-cohort) - [Fall 2026 InnovAGE Cohort](https://m2d2challenge.com/fall-2026-innovage-cohort) - [CAPCaT](https://m2d2challenge.com/umass-capcat) - [Lab & Office Space](https://m2d2challenge.com/m2d2-lab-space) - [Talk to M2D2](https://m2d2challenge.com/contact-us) Open main navigation Close main navigation - Programs & Challenges Show submenu for Programs & Challenges - [$200K Challenge](https://m2d2challenge.com/200k-challenge) Show submenu for $200K Challenge - [Areas of Interest](https://m2d2challenge.com/200k-challenge-areas-of-interest) - [FAQs](https://m2d2challenge.com/200k-challenge-faqs) - [Barracuda Bowl](https://m2d2challenge.com/barracuda-bowl) Show submenu for Barracuda Bowl - [Areas of Interest](https://m2d2challenge.com/barracuda-bowl-areas-of-interest) - [FAQs](https://m2d2challenge.com/barracuda-bowl-faqs) - [InnovAGE](https://m2d2challenge.com/innovage) Show submenu for InnovAGE - [Fall 2025 InnovAGE Cohort](https://m2d2challenge.com/fall-2025-innovage-cohort) - [Spring 2025 InnovAGE Cohort](https://m2d2challenge.com/spring-2025-innovage-cohort) - [Spring 2026 InnovAGE Cohort](https://m2d2challenge.com/spring-2026-innovage-cohort) - [Fall 2026 InnovAGE Cohort](https://m2d2challenge.com/fall-2026-innovage-cohort) - [CAPCaT](https://m2d2challenge.com/umass-capcat) - [Lab & Office Space](https://m2d2challenge.com/m2d2-lab-space) - [Talk to M2D2](https://m2d2challenge.com/contact-us) - [Newsletter Signup](https://m2d2challenge.com/contact-us) [Newsletter Signup](https://m2d2challenge.com/contact-us) # Fall 2026 InnovAGE Cohort ![Arit Banerjee](https://m2d2challenge.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Arit%20Banerjee.jpeg?width=800&height=800&name=Arit%20Banerjee.jpeg "Arit Banerjee") ### Arit Banerjee *PhD Candidate, UMass Amherst, UMass Chan Medical School* Arit Banerjee is advancing the use of MRI-based biomarkers to better understand Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative conditions, including frontotemporal dementia and Parkinson’s disease. His research focuses on identifying imaging-based insights that could improve how these diseases are studied and understood. With a strong interest in translating scientific discoveries into real-world healthcare solutions, his work could help bridge neurodegenerative disease research with future clinical applications. #### Che Yu Lee *PhD Candidate, Boston University Medical School* Che Yu Lee is investigating the molecular mechanisms behind Alzheimer’s disease and related neurodegenerative conditions by combining multi-omic single-cell genomics with artificial intelligence. His work also contributes to ReMIND, a vision-language model designed to automate brain MRI interpretation in neurological disease. By bringing together advanced genomics, AI, and medical imaging, his research could support new ways to understand and evaluate complex neurological conditions.  ![che yu lee](https://m2d2challenge.com/hs-fs/hubfs/che%20yu%20lee.jpeg?width=419&height=419&name=che%20yu%20lee.jpeg "che yu lee") ![jongyun jung](https://m2d2challenge.com/hs-fs/hubfs/jongyun%20jung.jpeg?width=200&height=200&name=jongyun%20jung.jpeg "jongyun jung") ### Jongyun Jung *Postdoctoral Research Scientist, Columbia University* Jongyun Jung is developing machine learning and deep learning approaches to better measure biological aging over time. His work includes the Pace of Aging Hybrid Trajectory Model (POA-HyTrax), which combines longitudinal clinical and multi-omic data to capture changes in biological aging. His goal is to create a sensitive Aging Score that could help researchers evaluate whether gerotherapeutic interventions are successfully slowing biological aging and support the development and testing of longevity therapeutics. ### Lea Stith  *PhD Candidate, Boston University* Lea Stith is exploring how attention supports goal-directed behavior and how cognitive function can be measured in complex, real-world environments. Her research combines functional MRI, behavioral experiments, and computational analyses to investigate the neural mechanisms underlying attention, building on previous work in memory, aging, and Alzheimer’s disease. Her work could contribute to more sensitive and scalable approaches for measuring cognitive function and translating neuroscience discoveries into practical clinical and technological applications.  ![lea stith](https://m2d2challenge.com/hs-fs/hubfs/lea%20stith.jpeg?width=800&height=800&name=lea%20stith.jpeg "lea stith") ![mark lucas](https://m2d2challenge.com/hs-fs/hubfs/mark%20lucas.png?width=800&height=800&name=mark%20lucas.png "mark lucas") ### Mark Lucas  *Graduate, Boston University* Mark Lucas is developing patient-centered technologies that bridge engineering and medicine, with a particular focus on neurological disorders. As founder of Antioch Technologies, he leads the development of NeuroBrace, a non-invasive wearable designed for tremor detection and suppression. Drawing on experience across wearable medical devices, neurorehabilitation, biosensors, and translational clinical research, his work aims to move biomedical innovations from early prototypes toward clinical implementation. ### Moumita Biswas  *Graduate, University of Massachusetts Lowell* Moumita Biswas is developing advanced materials that could improve how diagnostic and therapeutic payloads are delivered to the brain. Her research focuses on conducting polymers, including polyaniline, and their potential use in biocompatible nanocarriers capable of crossing the highly restrictive blood-brain barrier. By combining expertise in biosensors, molecular diagnostics, electrochemical sensing, and nanomaterials, her work could help enable more targeted approaches for delivering diagnostics and therapies directly to affected brain tissue.  ![1769174162572](https://m2d2challenge.com/hs-fs/hubfs/1769174162572.jpg?width=589&height=760&name=1769174162572.jpg "1769174162572") ![natalia](https://m2d2challenge.com/hs-fs/hubfs/natalia.jpeg?width=800&height=800&name=natalia.jpeg "natalia") ### Natalia Mykhaylova  *PhD Researcher, University of Toronto, SMU* Natalia Mykhaylova is advancing privacy-preserving technologies designed to support independent living and cognitive monitoring for aging populations. Her work combines Edge-Native AI with multi-modal sensor fusion, including proprietary radar and ultrasonic arrays, to measure physical and environmental biomarkers without compromising data privacy. By translating computational models into scalable, clinical-grade interventions, her research could support new approaches to digital health and aging care. ### Pardis Parvizi  *PhD Candidate, University of Massachusetts Amherst* Pardis Parvizi is studying how everyday movement and physical activity relate to cardiovascular health, frailty, and mortality in older adults and other at-risk populations. Her research examines factors such as step count and activity intensity while incorporating interests in wearable technologies and population health data. By translating these findings into practical and scalable approaches, her work could help support healthier aging and improve how physical activity is understood as an indicator of long-term health.  ![Pardis parvizi](https://m2d2challenge.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Pardis%20parvizi.jpeg?width=800&height=800&name=Pardis%20parvizi.jpeg "Pardis parvizi") ![samantha jezak](https://m2d2challenge.com/hs-fs/hubfs/samantha%20jezak.jpeg?width=800&height=800&name=samantha%20jezak.jpeg "samantha jezak") ### Samantha Jezak  *PhD Candidate, Tufts University* Samantha Jezak is investigating the biological processes that drive aging and how those insights could be translated into innovations that promote lifelong health. Her research focuses on how metabolism influences cell fate decisions, including cellular senescence, a fundamental hallmark of biological aging. By studying these underlying mechanisms, her work could contribute to a deeper understanding of the aging process and inform future approaches designed to support healthier aging. ### Sondos Alnamos  *Graduate, Columbia University* Sondos Alnamos is developing practical medical technologies designed to address unmet clinical needs and improve healthcare delivery. As Founder and CEO of iCleanMedX, she is developing automated disinfection and compliance solutions aimed at reducing healthcare-associated infections. Her work brings together medical device development, infection prevention, human-centered design, and healthcare entrepreneurship, with applications for improving care delivery for vulnerable patient populations, including older adults.  ![sondos alnamos](https://m2d2challenge.com/hs-fs/hubfs/sondos%20alnamos.png?width=800&height=800&name=sondos%20alnamos.png "sondos alnamos") [linkedin-in icon](https://www.linkedin.com/company/m2d2/) [facebook-f icon](https://www.facebook.com/UMassM2D2) - [$200K Challenge](https://m2d2challenge.com/200k-challenge) - [Barracuda Bowl](https://m2d2challenge.com/barracuda-bowl) - [InnovAGE](https://m2d2challenge.com/innovage) - [CAPCaT](https://m2d2challenge.com/umass-capcat) --- [![](https://m2d2challenge.com/hs-fs/hubfs/M2D2%20logo%20v1.png?width=1088&height=447&name=M2D2%20logo%20v1.png)](https://m2d2challenge.com/) 110 Canal St., 4th Floor, Lowell MA 01852 Copyright © 2025