I have a passion for discovering new candidate molecules and targets to treat neurodegenerative diseases such as glaucoma and Alzheimer's Disease. I began my Ph.D. studying rare neurological disorders in an effort to treat defects in GABA (an inhibitory neurotransmitter) metabolism. I tested enzyme replacement and small molecular interventions in rodent models. I performed EEG, longevity studies, and behavioral testing to correlate with experimental treatment paradigms.
In recent years I have cultured inducible pluripotent stem cells derived from sporatic and familial Alzheimer's and ALS patient fibroblasts. I studied neurons differentiated from these cell lines to discover molecular pathways involved in disease pathology and progression. In my research, I apply a spectrum of different molecular, genetic, analytical, physiological, and cellular techniques to investigate my research questions.
