What inspired you to pursue aging research?
As a systems immunologist, I have always been interested in understanding how complex networks of signals keep our immune system balanced and what happens when those networks go wrong. Aging profoundly distorts the immune network, and the dysregulation of the immune system contributes to a wide range of age-related diseases. I want to use our precision genomics approach to better understand immune system changes over time and use that knowledge to design strategies that restore healthy immune 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?
In my view, the AFAR Foundation has propelled numerous breakthroughs in aging research, and having received an AFAR grant is both an incredible honor and a tremendous opportunity to contribute. Receiving this grant now allows us to apply our immunology and big-data expertise to precisely define signaling pathway alterations and deepen our understanding of the immune basis of aging. This will significantly enrich my junior faculty career and enable us to generate valuable preliminary data for long-term federal support.
What is exciting about your research’s potential impact?
Many age-related diseases are associated with an aged immune system, and my research aims to identify ways to rejuvenate immune function. I am very excited to contribute to our understanding of aging by illuminating the immune basis of aging and identifying actionable strategies to promote healthy aging.
How would you describe your research to a non-scientist?
As we age, our blood stem cells become less effective, leading to weaker immunity, inflammation, and higher disease risk. These stem cells are controlled by signaling molecules called cytokines, and the signaling process is distorted in aging. My research uses advanced genomic and computational methods to precisely map how immune signaling molecules influence these stem cells. By identifying which cytokine pathways change with age, we aim to uncover new ways to rejuvenate blood production and strengthen immune health in older adults.
