Melisa Velasco is a Research Associate I at the Comprehensive Center for Brain Health at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Applied Physiology and Kinesiology from the University of Florida.

Melisa’s background spans clinical care in neurology and neurosurgery, where she developed experience in patient care coordination, clinical documentation, and supporting physicians in specialty healthcare settings. Her work with neurological patient populations strengthened her interest in cognitive health, neurodegenerative disease, and patient-centered research.

With a strong foundation in health science and a passion for medicine, Melisa is particularly interested in the biological and lifestyle factors that influence brain health, resilience, and healthy aging. She is excited to contribute to research that advances understanding of cognition and improves quality of life for diverse patient populations.