Henriette van Praag
Associate professor
Florida Atlantic University
Biografi
Henriette van Praag is Professor of Biomedical Science at Florida Atlantic University, where she leads research on brain plasticity, ageing and neurodegenerative disease. Her work explores how physical activity influences brain function, with a particular focus on the molecular and cellular mechanisms linking exercise to learning, memory and cognitive resilience.
Van Praag is internationally recognised for pioneering studies demonstrating that physical exercise can stimulate neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity in the adult brain. Her research investigates how exercise-induced signals from the body affect the brain, including the role of circulating proteins and metabolic factors in regulating inflammation, neuronal survival and cognitive function. Using animal models and translational approaches, she studies how lifestyle-related interventions may protect against age-related cognitive decline and neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease.
