Al Abundo, B.F.A., M.S., M.B.A.
Accountant

Al brings in-depth accounting and marketing experience to the Center for BrainHealth, including a past stint in research and development for Johnson & Johnson. A numbers whiz, he completed his M.S. in Accounting and Information Management from the University of Texas at Dallas in 2009, adding it impressively to the M.B.A. he'd previously earned. At BrainHealth, Al is always willing to help and is an indispensable component of the Center's operations.

Email: alfred.abundo@utdallas.edu

Gordon Allen, B.B.A., M.B.A.
Assistant Director of Operations

Gordon joined the Center for BrainHealth in September 2008. He brought with him an extensive background in managing the operations of nonprofit organizations with many years of experience working directly with higher education institutions throughout Texas. He has served in advisory roles with government agencies and trade organizations including the
U. S. Department of Education and the Association of Texas Lenders for Education. In addition, Gordon has worked in a number of major financial institutions where, most recently, he functioned as information security officer. Gordon holds an M.B.A. in Public Administration. His primary role at the Center for BrainHealth is to oversee and streamline administrative support services needed to effectively maintain programs and research.

Email: gordon.allen@utdallas.edu

Damon Bellard
Software Systems Specialist

Damon transferred from the UT Houston Health Science Center to the Center for BrainHealth in October 2008.  An undergraduate computer science major at the University of Houston, he has over eight years of experience in information technology including six years served in the United States Navy.  Damon possesses an all-encompassing IT background (including network administration and computer hardware fabrication), and his computer research experience includes designing and building a system to be placed inside ambulances that allows doctors to instruct paramedics while in route to hospitals. 

Email: damon.bellard@utdallas.edu

Mary Bivens
Secretary

Mary Bivens came to the Center for BrainHealth after working for the U. S. Small Business Administration. She brings with her more than a decade of certified experience. Her passion for caring for the elderly prompted her to found "Mary's Place," a center for patients with Alzheimer's disease. Her ability to coordinate ever-changing staff calendars, juggle multiple telephone lines, and greet all visitors with a friendly smile has made Mary an indispensable member of the Center.

Email: mary.bivens@utdallas.edu

B. Keith Cheatham, B.S., M.L.S.
Marketing and Communications Associate

Keith has had more than two decades of specialized experience working in Dallas for a Fortune 500 company and an area university. A published writer, he joins the UT Dallas Center for BrainHealth community eager to employ his communication, organization, and interviewing, writing, and editing skills. He writes and edits the Center's widely-distributed quarterly newsletter, Brain Matters, creates BrainHealth stories for a variety of media outlets, manages the content and appearance of the Center's website, develops news slides for broadcast on campus LCD monitors, and works directly for BrainHealth's Chief Director and Community Relations Director to disseminate the Center's unique mission to the widest possible audience.

Email: keith.cheatham@utdallas.edu

Maggie Flagg, B.S.
Special Events Associate

Maggie, a recent graduate of Vanderbilt University, hails originally from Palm Beach, Florida, moving to Dallas just after completing her studies at the prestigious Tennessee school. She worked as a representative for a contemporary clothing showroom and as a nanny to twin infant boys before joining the Center for BrainHealth's community relations team. In her prominent new role, she works tirelessly to ensure that BrainHealth events go off without a hitch, be they high-profile sporting events, Board meetings, sold-out lectures, or elegant dinners honoring friends of the Center. Regardless of her assignment, she brings a vibrant enthusiasm and a creative spark that are contagious.

Email: maggie.flagg@utdallas.edu

Bruce Jones, B.A., M.A.
Assistant Director of Research Operations

Bruce joined the Center for BrainHealth team in September 2008.  He formerly managed research operations for Eric Nestler, M.D., Ph.D., at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, which included overseeing more than $12 million in funding from a wide range of sources.  While completing his M.A. at New York University, Bruce worked at Columbia University in Child Psychiatry as the Project Administrator for its Diagnostic Instrument Schedule for Children and Adolescents (DISC) program. In his BrainHealth role, Bruce coordinates the Center’s grant funding activities.  Bruce brings over a decade of experience administering federal and foundation grant programs, overseeing funding at New York University, Columbia University, and UT Southwestern Medical Center.

Email: bruce.jones@utdallas.edu

Sharon O’Meara, B.S., M.A.
Coordinator of Special Projects

Sharon’s experience in higher education and in the private sector, where she served as a project manager, has provided invaluable preparation for her work at the Center as Coordinator of Special Projects. In this capacity, she has been involved in various projects and events involving the Center.

Email: sharon.omeara@utdallas.edu

Racquel A. Peterson
Community Relations Associate

Racquel joined the Center for BrainHealth in October 2006, coming from an investment management firm and bringing with her 11 years of professional experience. In her BrainHealth Community Relations role, she serves as the high-profile liaison between the Center and its Boards, interacts directly with donors, oversees the department's finances, and assists hands-on with high-visibility events, fundraising opportunities, and media design. Her dedication, can-do spirit, and willingness to help others make her an indispensable part of BrainHealth's Community Relations family.

Email: racquel.peterson@utdallas.edu

Rebecca Peterson
Administrative Assistant to Chief Director

Rebecca brings over 26 years of executive administrative experience to UTD Center for BrainHealth. She has previously held executive administrative positions in the real estate industry with Hines Industrial, MEPC, ING Clarion and LandPlan. Her passion for the arts and those less fortunate have directed her gifts toward various committees and several charities over the years.

Email: rebecca.peterson@utdallas.edu

Scott Smith
Network Support Specialist

Known as the "Go To Guy" even by other computer whizzes, Scott has years of experience designing and implementing network infrastructure, customizing solutions for information technology related problems, selling computers, and helping less-knowledgeable colleagues tackle hardware and software concerns. At BrainHealth, Scott offers daily hardware and software support for nearly 100 demanding users. He maintains a can-do attitude throughout and prides himself on finding practical answers to difficult computer questions. He is finishing his requirements for his bachelor's degree in computer science.

Email: scott.smith2@utdallas.edu

Jessie De Guzman
Senior Guard

Gil Ramos
Guard