Associate Professor, Mayo Clinic
Hevolution/AFAR New Investigator Awards in Aging Biology and Geroscience Research - 2022
What inspired you to pursue aging research?
I did my PhD at Newcastle University in the UK, in a large multi-disciplinary institute devoted to researching all aspects of aging: ranging from discovery science, social and economic impact of aging to translational research. This unique environment made me realize the potential of research into aging and in particular the real possibility of targeting fundamental aging processes as a way to prevent or delay the onset of a majority of age-related conditions. Following my PhD, I decided that I wanted to pursue an independent career in aging research and translate my discoveries in the lab into viable therapies. Now, leading my own team at Mayo Clinic, I feel that my early ambition is closer than ever.
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 remarkable organization which has supported and nurtured amazing scientists and projects in aging research over more than 40 years. Many key breakthroughs in the field of biogerontology can be credited to AFAR grantees. I feel humbled and honored to have the privilege to play a part in this extraordinary rich history. I am hopeful that through this grant I will be able to make meaningful contributions to the field.
What is exciting about your research’s potential impact?
My team has previously shown that clearance of senescent cells in aged mice can significantly reduce liver steatosis. Moreover, we have shown that senolytics improve cognitive function during aging. In this project, we aim to investigate the exciting hypothesis that senescent cells in the liver may transmit secondary senescence to the brain during aging as well as investigate possible underlying mechanisms. This project will answer fundamental questions in biology of aging: if and how senescent cells can spread between organs; however, it also has translational focus. I believe this knowledge can be translated into interventions that enhance healthspan.
How would you describe your research to a non-scientist?
I study a process called cellular senescence, which is what happens when a cell ages and stops dividing but does not die. In popular media, these cells are often called “zombie cells.” As we age, these zombie cells can build up in tissues throughout the body and ultimately contribute to the loss of function of many organs. My work and that of other scientists, has shown that killing zombie cells in aged mice can delay and reverse many age-related diseases. In this project, I propose to investigate if zombie cells which appear in the liver can spread to other organs such as the brain, thereby contributing to cognitive decline. How zombie cells spread across different organs during aging is not understood and I aim to investigate this fundamental question.
