The APOE ε4 allele is the strongest known genetic risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer’s disease, yet the mechanisms by which it influences brain aging remain poorly understood. I approach APOE biology from a lifespan perspective by investigating how APOE genotype shapes both brain development and aging through the analysis of single-cell transcriptomics data from humanized APOE knock-in mice and comparison with human brain datasets. I will further examine how biological sex modifies APOE-associated aging trajectories to identify sex-specific mechanisms and interactions between sex and APOE genotype that may contribute to disease susceptibility. Together, these analyses aim to uncover conserved pathways through which APOE ε4 alters brain aging and to improve our understanding of the molecular processes underlying Alzheimer’s disease.

I am participating in SuperUROP because I want to further develop my skills in computational biology while pursuing an independent research project in neuroscience. Through my UROP, I have gained experience in single-cell transcriptomics data analysis and hope to build on that foundation to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying Alzheimer’s disease. My goal is to make a meaningful contribution to our understanding of how genetic risk factors influence brain aging and age-related disease.