I obtained my PhD in biochemistry at centre for prions and protein folding diseases (CPPFD) of University of Alberta, Canada. Working under supervision of Prof. David Westaway, I studied conformational changes of misfolded protein assemblies and their correlation with neuroimmune responses in prion and tauopathy mouse models of neurodegenerative diseases. 

I graduated in 2020 and due to the Covid-19 restrictions at the time and family circumstances, I had to postpone any moving plans for my postdoc. Fortunately, I found a great opportunity in research group of Prof. Matthew Macauley at University of Alberta, and started my first half of postdoctoral training there. My research focused on understanding the role of two AD-associated human CD33 protein isoforms on microglial cell function in vivo. The findings from this project has led to important discoveries about risk and protective variants of human CD33 in the context of AD. 

In 2023, I joined the research group of Prof. Mathew Blurton-Jones at University of California Irvine. Dr. Blurton-Jones is an expert in microglia biology and his lab has pioneered the protocol for human microglia differentiation from induced pluripotent stem cells (iMG). My research in Blurton-Jones lab focuses on further understanding microglia cell responses to protein misfolding, as well as development of novel tools for genetic manipulation of these cells.

Outside the lab I like to spend my time gardening, swimming (open water and pool) and baking.