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Dr. Rodney Guttmann

Biography

Dr. Rodney Guttmann, Professor of Biology and Interim Chair of the Department of Biology, has dedicated his career to advancing Alzheimer’s research, clinical trial innovation, and transformative student mentorship. He holds a Ph.D. in Pharmacology from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and a B.S. in Chemistry from Florida State University. Prior to joining UWF in 2011, he earned tenure on the faculty at the University of Kentucky and was a member of the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, one of the nation’s leading Alzheimer’s disease research centers.

At UWF, Dr. Guttmann has continued a sustained NIH-funded research program focused on early detection of Alzheimer’s disease through advanced phage display technology, placing the university at the forefront of biomarker research. His current work is supported by the National Institute on Aging of the National Institutes of Health (R15AG066122). Additional funding includes awards from NINDS and industry sponsors, supporting work in neurodegenerative biomarker discovery and therapeutic development. He holds two U.S. patents, including a membrane-permeable peptide capable of calpain inhibition and monoclonal antibodies targeting pathological forms of calcineurin, and has served as principal investigator on clinical trials for Alzheimer’s-related agitation in partnership with Avanir Pharmaceuticals and Otsuka. He previously served as Director of UWF’s Center on Aging, where he established partnerships between the university and regional healthcare organizations. He is a recipient of the 2022 UWF Faculty Excellence in Undergraduate Research Mentoring Award, the UWF SGA Distinguished Teacher Award, and the Faculty Scholars Award.

Dr. Guttmann has mentored over 100 undergraduate researchers at UWF, with students presenting at national conferences, co-authoring publications, and pursuing advanced degrees in biomedical fields. His recently funded NeuroNauts Scholars Program, a five-year initiative supported by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke of the National Institutes of Health (R25NS147367), provides structured research training for exceptional area high school students and career development pathways for students interested in neuroscience and aging. Beyond his own laboratory, Dr. Guttmann leads interdisciplinary collaborations across colleges, including work with faculty in engineering and psychology on sensor-enhanced robotic pet therapy for individuals with dementia and the development of the HealthNauts Career Program, a workforce development initiative addressing eldercare staffing shortages in Northwest Florida.

His outreach extends to community education, where he partners with healthcare providers and senior living communities to inform the public about aging, dementia prevention, and public health. Through his research, mentorship, and community engagement, Dr. Guttmann continues to advance UWF’s impact on neurodegenerative research and the health of aging populations.

Degrees & Institutions

  • Ph.D. Pharmacology, University of Alabama at Birmingham
  • B.S. Chemistry, Florida State University
  • Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Pennsylvania

Research

Dr. Guttmann’s research program is dedicated to advancing biomarker discovery and therapeutic strategies for Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative conditions. His lab focuses on the development of sensitive and specific biomarker assays, utilizing techniques such as phage display to identify early indicators of Alzheimer’s, with the goal of improving early detection and disease management. Additionally, Dr. Guttmann leads efforts in designing novel bioactive peptides, exploring their potential in clinical applications to modulate neuroinflammation, synaptic function, and cellular resilience. His research integrates translational and foundational studies, striving to bridge laboratory discoveries with impactful therapeutic advances for neurodegenerative diseases.

Keywords: pharmacology, biomarker, assay development, Alzheimer disease and neurodegeneration, bioactive peptides, clinical research