Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Connecticut Health Center
Glenn Foundation for Medical Research Postdoctoral Fellowships in Aging Research - 2022
What inspired you to pursue aging research?
In the last century, human lifespan has been dramatically increased. However, there is a remaining challenge to compress morbidity period and increase healthspan. My interest in aging research was inspired by the emerging evidence that targeting cellular senescence alleviates many age-associated diseases and extends lifespan.
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 very supportive to the aging research field, and it accelerates communication and collaboration for aging researchers. As a postdoctoral researcher, I am very proud to receive an AFAR grant. The AFAR postdoctoral fellowship will expand my network and knowledge, and significantly accelerate achievement of my career goals.
What is exciting about your research’s potential impact?
This project will investigate a potential therapeutic target to extend lifespan and compress morbidity with aging. If our hypothesis is proven to be true, it will reveal a novel and potentially translatable therapeutic target to improve life quality in millions of older individuals.
How would you describe your research to a non-scientist?
Aging is a key risk factor for many chronic diseases that affect lifespan, independence, and quality of life. As people reach advanced age, they often face years of disability marked by multiple chronic diseases, frailty, and loss of independence. With aging or other pathological conditions, senescent cells accumulate in multiple tissues. My research aims to improve lifespan and healthspan by targeting cellular senescence.
