Assistant Professor, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Hevolution/AFAR New Investigator Awards in Aging Biology and Geroscience Research - 2022
What inspired you to pursue aging research?
I have always been passionate about understanding how to improve physical function. This started from my interests on improving athletic performance as swimmer. In graduate school, I quickly transitioned to studying the cellular and molecular mechanisms in skeletal muscle that regulate metabolic and physical function in older adults.
In your view, what does AFAR mean to the field, and what does it mean for you to receive an AFAR grant now?
AFAR is the pinnacle organization in the biology of aging field and is responsible for creating a pipeline of support for aging researchers across career progression. This foundation will allow us to tackle impactful questions that will help advance healthy aging. It is an honor to earn support from AFAR and join my colleagues in this exciting area of research.
What is exciting about your research’s potential impact?
If successful, we will gain insight on how to use rapamycin to potentiate the healthspan extending effects of exercise.
How would you describe your research to a non-scientist?
We are trying to learn how to improve healthy aging by targeting key biological and metabolic processes that become impaired with age.
