In Memory of Dr. Denise C. Park
Dr. Denise C. Park passed away on Sunday, February 1, 2026, at age 74. She was a beloved cognitive neuroscientist and colleague whose remarkable career spanned over 50 years dedicated to understanding memory, aging, and the resilience of the human brain. She joined the University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas) in 2008, where she would leave an indelible mark, and in 2010 founded the Center for Vital Longevity (CVL), creating a vibrant hub for research on the cognitive neuroscience of aging that continues to advance knowledge and inspire discovery. Dr. Park’s work ranged from foundational studies of memory and context effects to major projects such as the Dallas Lifespan Brain Study, which illuminated how cognitive and brain function evolve across the lifespan, along with the factors that confer resilience in the face of advancing age.
Throughout her career, Dr. Park secured continuous support from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Alzheimer’s Association, and other organizations, with total research funding exceeding $30 million. Her pioneering investigations into how cognition changes over the lifetime, the impact of amyloid deposition in the brain, and the benefits of challenging cognitive engagement and other lifestyle interventions have shaped how we understand the aging brain and the potential for maintaining cognitive vitality in later life. Her findings bridged basic science and real-world applications, leaving a lasting mark on research and public understanding of brain aging.
A devoted mentor, Dr. Park trained more than 50 graduate students and postdoctoral fellows across the Universities of Georgia, Michigan, Illinois, and UT Dallas. Many of her mentees now hold distinguished positions in academia, clinical research, or public health. She was renowned for cultivating intellectual curiosity, independence, and rigor in her trainees, always coupled with warmth, generosity, and a playful sense of humor that made her lab a welcoming and inspiring place.
Dr. Park also had an extraordinary record of service and leadership. She served on editorial boards and as editor for journals including The American Psychologist, The Journal of Gerontology, Perspectives on Psychological Science, and Cognition, Aging, & Neuropsychology, and was a guest editor for PNAS. Her leadership extended nationally and internationally through such roles as President of Division 20 of the American Psychological Association, and advisory positions with the NIH and the Max Planck Institute for Human Development.
Denise Park’s over 50 years of research and mentorship leave a legacy that will continue to shape the study of the aging brain for generations. She was a cherished mother to Robert & Colleen and a beloved grandmother, and her family was a central source of joy, love, and support throughout her life. Colleagues, trainees, and collaborators remember her not only for her extraordinary intellect and dedication, but also for her kindness, humor, and generosity of spirit. Her life’s work—and the warmth with which she shared it—will continue to inspire all who knew her and the countless others who will benefit from her insights for years to come.
Remembering Denise:
| “UT Dallas and the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences lost a legendary member of our academic family. Denise Park’s vision and leadership in building a world class research enterprise rapidly elevated UT Dallas to world class in a way that only Denise could accomplish. She leaves behind a legacy of excellence, mentorship, and innovation that will drive forward dementia and aging research for decades to come.” – Dean Adam Woods, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences |
| “Denise was an inspirational and pioneering figure in the field of cognitive aging who will be remembered for her seminal scientific contributions and for touching the lives of innumerable students and colleagues. The CVL is a fitting legacy.” – Michael D. Rugg, CVL Center Director, Distinguished Chair in Behavioral and Brain Sciences |