Scott Hayes, PhD

What do you research, and what brought you to that area of study?

My lab studies age-related changes in memory and the brain and how modifiable lifestyle variables, such as aerobic fitness or strength, may slow memory and brain decline. Initially, my work focused on the neural correlates of memory and aging using functional MRI. When I was working at the Department of Veterans Affairs in Boston, they constructed a new gym for cardiac rehabilitation right down the hall from the Memory Disorders Research Center, where I worked. The newly constructed gym allowed me the opportunity to integrate my interests in academic interests in neuroscience with my lifelong love of sports, especially basketball. When I came to OSU in 2018, I named the lab: Buckeye Brain Aging Lab (B-BAL) J.

What impact do you hope your research will have?

The B-BAL research aims to optimize cognitive and brain performance across the lifespan. I hope our research will identify what modifiable lifestyle variables are most important for the maintenance of cognitive performance and brain health as we age. This will allow us to identify those most at-risk for dementia, and potentially intervene in mid-life.

What excites you about doing interdisciplinary research at OSU?

OSU has taken my research program to another level. I have formed collaborations with experts in nutrition, kinesiology, and physical rehabilitation. I have learned a lot from these collaborators, in terms of academic knowledge and their approach to mentoring trainees and managing a lab. I think the most exciting thing about OSU is that I don’t perceive any limitations to my research program. If my lab and I have ideas and projects to pursue, there’s someone at OSU who has the expertise and resources to help make that project happen.

What are you most proud of? 

I am very proud of our FASTER study, which is a collaboration between my lab, the B-BAL, and Dr. Jasmeet Hayes’ MINDSET lab. We have completed data collection in over 300 participants 18-89 years old. These volunteers completed 4-5 appointments and roughly 15-20 hours of assessment that included cognitive testing, mental health assessment, brain MRI, whole body imaging (DXA), mobility, fitness, and biomarker assessments. Our participants travelled as far as Toledo, Cleveland, and Cincinnati to participate in our study, and I think this speaks to the excellent work of the BBAL and MINDSET trainees who work with the participants. Participants are returning for their 3-year follow-up appointments, and I think this will be a stellar data set for examining longitudinal changes in multiple physical, cognitive, and brain functions.