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Margaret Flanagan, MD

Professor of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine
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margaretflanagan@arizona.edu

At the forefront of dementia research, my role as a Tenured Full Professor encompasses leading the Nun Study of Aging and Alzheimer’s Disease. My expertise in neuropathology and neurodegeneration drives my mission to unravel the complexities of dementia, contributing to the development of innovative diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

A central focus of my work is biomarker translation: connecting autopsy-confirmed neuropathology to what can be measured during life through neuroimaging and fluid based biomarkers (CSF, plasma). My group develops and validates cerebrospinal fluid and plasma biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, and pairs antemortem MRI with quantitative, whole-slide digital histopathology to define what imaging signals represent at the tissue level. This work draws from my prior roles as Medical Director of a high-complexity CLIA-certified biomarker laboratory, Director of the Biggs Institute Brain Bank, and Lead of the South Texas Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center Neuropathology Core, experience that spans assay validation, regulatory oversight, biorepository governance, and standardized neuropathologic assessment across a large cohort. I also served as Chair of the national ADRC Neuropathology Core Steering Committee (2025–2026) and am a multiple principal investigator of the NINDS-funded Brain Digital Slide Archive.

With a tenure that extends over a decade in academic medicine and research, our team contributes to human neuropathology-based research and the elucidation of molecular mechanisms in the development of dementia, with the goal of turning tissue-level insight into biomarkers that are diagnostically useful and ready for validation in both clinical practice and clinical trial settings.

Residency

  • 2015 Anatomic Pathology Residency

Degrees

  • B.S., Cytotechnology, Cum Laude
  • B.A., Medical Jurisprudence and Medical Ethics, Honors
  • MBBchBAO (MD), Honors

Fellowship

  • 2016 Neuropathology Fellowship University of Washington, Seattle, WA
  • 2017 Neuropathology Fellowship Stanford University, Stanford, CA
  • 2017 Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Stanford University, Stanford, CA

Awards

  • 2026 Endowed Baptist Health Foundation of San Antonio's Distinguished Chair in Alzheimer's and Neurodegenerative Diseases – University of Texas Health San Antonio
  • 2025 "Trasna na dTonnta: Spotlight on Dementia Research Excellence” from the Dementia Research Network Ireland
  • 2025 Cozzarelli Prize (Class IV: Biomedical Sciences), Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) – Prestigious national award recognizing one of the top six scientific papers published in PNAS
  • 2025 "Women in Medicine in Ireland Network: WIMIN" Week 5 – Recognized for significant contributions to healthcare and medical research internationally
  • 2024 Top 20 on The Power List 2024 – "The Pathologist" magazine
  • 2024 Rising STARS Award – University of Texas Health San Antonio
  • 2023 Excellence in Neuroscience Research Award – Tied for First Place for Best Research of the Year 2023 at the International Association for Mapping the Brain Worldwide Conference at University College London
  • 2021 Winner, Inaugural Rogavin Award in Neuroscience – Northwestern University Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute
  • 2017 Recognized nationally for the Neuropathology Career Development award and opportunity to apply new imaging technologies in Alzheimer's disease and dementia settings
  • 2016 2nd Place, Most Funds Raised – Alzheimer's Association Fundraising Event, Team Stanford
  • 2015 3rd Place – University of Washington Department of Pathology Annual Retreat Poster Competition
  • 2014 1st Place, Most Fundable Grant Application – Accountable Care Organization Grant Writing Competition at University of Washington
  • 2011 1st Class Honors Book Token – Trinity College Dublin. Awarded annually to students obtaining first-class honors for the year
  • 2011 J.W. Bigger Memorial Scholarship – Trinity College Dublin. Awarded based on outstanding student record, university record, and financial circumstances

Licensure & Certification

  • Anatomic Pathology
  • Neuropathology
  • Cytotechnology (CT, ASCP)
  • CLIA Certificate of Compliance: Named Medical Director High Complexity Laboratory
  • Texas Board, Physician & Surgeon License

Teaching Interests

My teaching interests include diagnostic neuropathology, neurodegenerative disease, brain autopsy, and clinicopathologic correlation. My approach integrates clinical history, neuroimaging, molecular findings, and gross and microscopic pathology through interactive, case-based learning. Additional interests include curriculum development, digital pathology education, hands-on histopathology training, and mentorship in research design, scientific communication, and fellowship and grant preparation.
Research Interests:

Research Interests

My research focuses on the neuropathology of aging, Alzheimer’s disease, and related dementias, including TDP-43 proteinopathies and vascular contributions to cognitive impairment. My work connects autopsy-confirmed neuropathology with clinical findings, neuroimaging, and cerebrospinal fluid and plasma biomarkers to advance understanding of disease mechanisms and improve diagnosis. Additional interests include quantitative digital histopathology, longitudinal clinicopathologic research through the Nun Study, brain banking, and shared digital pathology resources that support collaborative research.