As a postdoctoral associate in the laboratory of Dr. Claes Wahlestedt at the University of Miami, my research has centered around preclinical therapeutic discovery in Alzheimer's disease as well as uncovering the role of exercise and DNA damage in long-term memory formation and preservation. My first project in the lab evaluated repurposing of an epigenetic small molecule in combination with low-dose cranial radiotherapy in AD mice. We believe the power of combination therapies and their synergistic potential are untapped in AD therapeutic discovery and showed that these two multifactorial treatments exhibit promise by quelling neuroinflammation and amyloidogenic APP processing while upregulating gene pathways involved in synaptic plasticity and neuronal survival. I am currently working in the field of neuronal longevity. Specifically, I am investigating exercise-induced DNA damage and repair in hippocampal neurons after acute and long-term aerobic exercise. Using novel "-omics" techniques like DNA single-strand break mapping, spatial transcriptomics, and bisulphite sequencing, I am pairing this molecular data with behavioral assays for memory formation to highlight how hormetic DNA damage is a necessary part of long-term memory formation and preservation.I also have a deep interest in research commercialization and biotech entrepreneurship and have spent the last year co-founding and building the Nucleate Florida chapter with my amazing team of PhD students across Florida. Additionally, the Research Commercialization Fellowship through UInnovation has been instrumental in preparing me for a career in the biotech industry. Please connect if we have similar interests!