What inspired you to pursue aging research?
I want to understand how aging damages the immune system. I am fascinated by the complexity of the immune system and its deep integration with other biological systems of the body, such as metabolism and tissue environment. Decoding the mechanisms of immune aging will allow us to better understand other functional changes during aging.
In your view, what does AFAR mean to the field, and what does it mean, for you, to receive an AFAR grant now?
I am excited by this opportunity to start my project supported by AFAR, which allows me to study new ideas in the field of immune aging. I am grateful that AFAR provides a funding mechanism for new PIs to launch projects investigating novel ideas. This support during the early phase of building a team and lab and starting independent projects is crucial, and it will help me develop my research program in immune aging.
What is exciting about your research’s potential impact?
My project aims to decode how signals from old tissue disturb functions of professional antigen-presenting cells–conventional dendritic cells–and impair cytotoxic T-cell responses during aging. Understanding mechanisms of deteriorated communications between conventional dendritic cells and T cells in old tissues can identify potential targets to improve anti-tumor and anti-viral immunity in older individuals.
How would you describe your research to a non-scientist?
Aging changes how the immune system works, affecting immune cells that defend the body against viral infections and cancers. My research focuses on how aging disturbs the communication between immune cells that protect the body against viruses and tumor cells. Understanding these effects of aging on the immune cells can reveal new targets to improve weakened immune responses in older individuals.
