Michelle Papka, Ph.D.

Dr. Michelle Papka is a respected thought leader in AD who has over 35 years experience as a researcher and clinician specializing in the field of aging, Alzheimer’s disease, and dementia. In addition to practicing as a neuropsychologist and psychotherapist, Dr. Papka has served as the Principal Investigator on over 70 clinical research studies of Alzheimer’s disease and age-related cognitive impairment, most of which have been industry sponsored clinical trials. Dr. Papka is an active public speaker, author, invited editor, grant reviewer, and nationally syndicated columnist.  She serves as an advisor and consultant to multiple pharmaceutical companies, scientific organizations, start-ups, and advocacy groups.  She is the founder of the annual New Jersey Statewide Memory Screening event that occurs in November in honor of Alzheimer’s Awareness month.

 Dr. Papka started her career in academia at the University of Rochester Medical Center, moved on to Co-Direct the Cognitive and Memory Disorders Program at Saint Barnabas Medical Center, and then built Michelle Papka, Ph.D., LLC, a successful private practice that served patients and the New Jersey community for 20 years.  She founded The Cognitive and Research Center of New Jersey, LLC in 2009, a dedicated clinical trial site for patients with Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders, which now has locations in Springfield and Ridgewood, New Jersey.  The Cognitive and Research Center of New Jersey, LLC was acquired by Pinnacle Clinical Research in May of 2024 and continues to thrive and expand to other indications under Dr. Papka’s leadership.  In addition to her role as current President of The Cognitive and Research Center of New Jersey, Dr. Papka serves as the Scientific Director of Central Nervous System disorders for the Pinnacle Network and as a Consultant to Summit Clinical Research, a related entity.

She is known for her passion to the field, dedication to patients and their causes, and as a Key Opinion Leader in the field of Alzheimer’s disease clinical trial research, diagnostics, and therapeutics.