Adrissi Lab
Pursuing equity and improving outcomes in brain health
Dr. Adrissi selected as a 2025-2026 AAN Diversity Leadership Program
Dr. Adrissi is set to join the incoming cohort for the American Academy of Neurology's Diversity Leadership Program, an initiative aimed at advancing diversity and inclusion within the field of neurology. This program is dedicated to cultivating leaders from underrepresented groups and provides them with a comprehensive curriculum that builds upon their leadership skills. Participants will engage in a variety of valuable experiences, including skill-building workshops, networking opportunities, and mentorship. The program focuses on enhancing leadership capabilities, fostering professional growth, and encouraging participants to take on leadership roles within their organizations.
Dr. Adrissi was awarded the Racial and Social Justice (RSJ) Grant for an upcoming research project
She was awarded the Institute for American Cultures (IAC) and Office of Vice Chancellor for Research and Creative Activities (ORCA) RSJ Grant to address the racial disparities in Parkinson’s disease (PD) clinical trial participation. Dr. Adrissi will be developing a quantitative assessment tool to be used by PD researchers to assess and improve the recruitment and study design of PD clinical studies to increase their accessibility and inclusivity for Black participants. To achieve this, she will utilize a community based participatory research approach, engaging and centering the community through the development of a community advisory board made up of Black community members.
Jennifer Adrissi was awarded the American Neurological Association’s International Outreach Scholarship
In Fall 2023, Dr. Adrissi traveled to Lusaka, Zambia to complete a local needs assessment project for Parkinson’s disease (PD) for people with PD, their care partners, and local healthcare workers. At the culmination of her trip, she hosted a community event for the Zambian PD community.
Parkinson’s C.O.R.E. Collaborative official launch
The Adrissi Lab launched its community-focused outreach program in Fall 2023. For its first community event, they attended the Walk to Save Black Men’s Lives hosted by the African American Male Wellness Agency. Parkinson’s C.O.R.E. Collaborative (P.C.C) met with community members to educate them on Parkinson’s related symptoms, facts, and Los Angeles specific resources. The P.C.C. was founded on the pillars of Community-building, Outreach, Research, and Education.
To stay up to date with our work, follow us on our social media accounts:
Instagram: @Parkinsons_CORE Facebook: Parkinsons CORE Collaborative
Latest News
UCLA Health Newsroom Spotlight
Dr. Adrissi was interviewed for the latest issue of UCLA Health News & Insights. She discusses the current disparities in clinical research as it relates to the Black community and highlights her plans for addressing these gaps in the coming years.
Dr. Adrissi presents research at MDS Copenhagen 2023:
Investigating factors contributing to clinical trial recruitment in Parkinson’s disease within the Black community
Earlier this year, Dr. Adrissi presented her research at the annual Movement Disorder Society conference held in Copenhagen, Denmark. Her study examined the facilitators and barriers to Parkinson’s disease clinical trial participation in the Black community through surveys and interviews of Black people living with PD and Black controls. Through this study, she also highlighted practical strategies to engage this underrepresented group.
Jennifer Adrissi, MD MSCR interviewed by Healio at the 2023 International Association of Parkinsonism and Related Disorders World Congress
She highlighted results of her mixed-methods study designed to explore barriers to clinical trial recruitment within Black communities.The results challenged the narrative that Black communities are unwilling to participate in clinical research and highlighted key areas to address in order to increase the engagement of this underrepresented group.