Dr. Mari DeMarco

Clinical Chemist, PHC

Dr. DeMarco received a BSc in Honours Biochemistry and a minor in Mathematics from Mercyhurst University. She earned a PhD from the University of Washington in Medicinal Chemistry, as part of the Biomolecular Structure and Design Program. She subsequently completed a Clinical Chemistry fellowship at Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis.

Dr. DeMarco’s research group is interested in technology development and implement of novel diagnostic tests for use in patient care, with an emphasis on clinical mass spectrometric analysis of peptide and protein biomarkers. While the group works in various areas of medicine, a major focus is on neurodegenerative diseases. The group aims to create better tools for timely diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, frontotemporal degeneration, and related disorders, and make these tools easily accessible to those that need them. New tests are needed to improve our understanding of disease pathology and progression, support clinical trials for new therapeutics, and help provide timely and accurate diagnoses. This research is accomplished in close collaboration with clinicians and scientists at UBC’s Clinic for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders.