What inspired you to pursue aging research?
Why do we age? This simple question, posed by my soon-to-be graduate mentor Dr. Andrzej Bartke, inspired a deep curiosity in me about the mechanisms that control aging. Pondering this question, I embarked on a journey that has allowed me to look deeply into one of humanity’s greatest mysteries. I am always amazed at the knowledge that the field has already been able to uncover and driven by the excitement of the opportunity to add to this knowledge.
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 key entity of support for researchers investigating the biology of aging. AFAR has played major roles in gerontology on every level including developing infrastructure, networking, facilitating meetings, and supporting and promoting research. Receiving this grant is extremely beneficial to my development as an independent investigator, allowing me to conduct cutting-edge research to advance the field of aging.
What is exciting about your research’s potential impact?
The translational potential in my research is the most exciting part for me. I think the field is ready for the development and use of aging interventions and my research is focused on determining if kynurenine pathway suppression is a suitable candidate for an intervention that can benefit healthspan in humans.
How would you describe your research to a non-scientist?
The Kynurenine pathway is a conserved, lifespan-regulating, molecular pathway that is activated with inflammation. Higher levels of kynurenine and its metabolites are associated with obesity, inflammation, aging, and frailty in mammals. In this study, we are testing whether kynurenine pathway suppression can beneficially alter energy metabolism. Therefore, the goal of this study is to determine the role kynurenines in the development of dysregulated energy metabolism, increased inflammation and aging-related functional decline and frailty in mice in the context of high-fat diet. To do this, we will track energy metabolism in mice with genetically and pharmacologically suppressed kynurenine levels. We will feed them standard diet and high-fat diets, and measure the effects of pharmacologically reducing levels of kynurenines on physiological function, glucose metabolism, frailty, and aging.
