Study Coordinators


Noheli Bedenfield, MHA

  • Multi-Stakeholder Engagement for Interdisciplinary Telehealth in Lewy Body Dementia
  • Life Space Mobility in Lewy Body Dementia
Noheli Bedenfield

Noheli (No-el-ee) Bedenfield, MHA is a Research Coordinator and LBD Support Group Facilitator. She primarily supports Dr. Melissa Armstrong and LBD-related initiatives and research. She graduated from the University of Florida with a Masters in Health Administration in 2018 and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology in 2016. Her current responsibilities include development and coordination of unfunded and funded research studies, facilitating a monthly support group and connecting patients and families to community and state-wide resources.

Noheli, raised in citrus filled central Florida, has been part of the Gainesville community for the past decade and is passionate about supporting people when they need it most. From her time with the Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases, she has developed her knowledge of LBD through communicating with the people living with LBD, their families and care partners/caregivers and LBD specialists.  Her hope is to connect the LBD community with helpful supports and services while contributing to innovative research happening at the Fixel Institute. In her spare time Noheli loves to express her creativity through art and music. She also enjoys adventuring through nature with her husband and two dogs. Noheli is intentional in creating meaningful relationships with people who have LBD and their families. She hopes to connect with you soon.


Celizbets Colón Ortiz, MA

  • 1Florida Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center

Celizbets is a Clinical Research Coordinator II at the Department of Neurology at the University of Florida. She currently works with Dr. Melissa Armstrong seeking to improve care for patients with Lewy Body Dementia and caregivers. She has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Puerto Rico, a master’s degree in Applied Behavioral Sciences from the University of Kansas, and completed graduate-level coursework and research in Neurosciences at Michigan State University. She has had a long-standing interest in understanding brain, behavior, and environment dynamics and interest in working with populations with neurobehavioral disorders through research and practice. As a clinical research coordinator, she administers psychometric assessments to older adults and their study partner, assists with coordination of research activities, and facilitates community outreach.

In research, she has worked in different projects in psychology, neurosciences, and applied behavioral sciences since undergraduate at different academic institutions, including the University of Puerto Rico, Michigan State University, Harvard University, and the University of Kansas Medical Center. In practice, she has been serving individuals with diverse neurological disorders across the lifespan since 2016 at clinical, community, and at-home settings as psychometrist, disability support worker, and behavior therapist in the United States, Puerto Rico, and Australia. She has worked with older adults with neurodegenerative disorders, caregivers, and providers. She is interested in clinical neuropsychology, evidence-based behavior therapies, and culturally responsive practices. She is also interested in advancing efforts aimed at improving the quality of life of individuals with neurobehavioral disorders and their caregivers, especially those from vulnerable backgrounds. Her hobbies include playing with her dog, reading non-fiction books, traveling, journaling, volunteering, and engaging in physical activities, such as running and hiking.


Hannah Jury, BA, BPH

  • PACE-DLB

Hannah is the research coordinator for the PACE-DLB study. She came to the Fixel Institute from the University of Florida Department of Epidemiology where she coordinated a statewide medical marijuana survey study. Prior to working for UF, she completed her undergraduate degrees in public health and statistics, and is currently working on a Master of Public Health. Hannah is a 4th generation Floridian and has enjoyed calling Gainesville “home” for six years. She is grateful to be a part of the value-driven LBD Life Lab team and has enjoyed building relationships with the patient and caregiver dyads in PACE-DLB.


Derek Ridgeway, BS

  • 1Florida Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center
Derek Ridgeway

Derek received his Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Psychology from the University of Florida in 2012. His career in research began as a neuropsychological technician with the Clinical Psychology Associates of North Central Florida. He then transitioned into a role as a psychometrist with the University of Florida Department of Clinical & Health Psychology. Derek currently serves as one of two research coordinators for the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (ADRC). He also serves as the psychometrist for this study in addition to his coordinator responsibilities.


Stacey White, MS, PhD

  • 1Florida Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center

Stacey is a research coordinator with the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (ADRC).  She received a Master of Science degree from Florida Atlantic University and a PhD from Concordia University. Prior to working for the University of Florida Department of Neurology, Stacey spent 15 years working in the areas of dysphagia and cognitive disorders within the acute care hospital setting.  She has presented at several national and international conferences on the subjects. Stacey enjoys being part of the ADRC team and is excited to continue working with those involved in the study.