What inspired you to pursue aging research?
Aging is an incredibly complex and fascinating biological process: it touches every organ, every cell type, and ultimately shapes the trajectory of our health and lifespan. What drew me in is that it’s both a fundamental biological question and an urgent medical challenge. As a scientist, I’m excited by the opportunity to uncover mechanisms that drive aging, and as a human being, I’m motivated by the possibility of improving how we age. There’s something powerful about working at that intersection.
In your view, what does AFAR mean to the field, and what does it mean, for you, to receive an AFAR grant now?
AFAR has been a cornerstone of the aging research field. It has helped build a vibrant and collaborative community, one that values both scientific rigor and innovation. Over the years, AFAR has supported foundational discoveries and empowered early-career investigators to take meaningful risks. Being part of that community is deeply motivating. For me, receiving an AFAR grant now is both an honor and a source of momentum. It affirms that the questions my lab is asking matter, and it gives us the support to pursue bold ideas at a critical stage in our work.
What is exciting about your research’s potential impact?
What excites me most is the possibility of uncovering fundamental mechanisms that drive immune aging and finding ways to intervene. If we can understand how aging disrupts immune function, we may be able to restore immune resilience in older adults. That could mean better tumor surveillance, responses to infections, and a reduced burden of age-related disease.
How would you describe your research to a non-scientist?
As we age, our immune system gradually weakens, making it harder to fight off infections or detect early signs of cancer. My research focuses on understanding why that happens: specifically, how the cells that support immune cells change over time. The goal is to find new ways to keep the immune system healthier for longer, so people can stay protected and resilient as they grow older.
