PNGC Blog

Our random and intentional thoughts

Using Functional Genomics to Decode Neurodegeneration – Towfique Raj PhD

Last month, PNGC had the pleasure of hosting Dr. Towfique Raj, PhD in partnership with the Perelman School of Medicine for the Biomedical Data Science Seminar Series. Dr. Raj is an Associate Professor of Neuroscience at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. His seminar addressed the post-GWAS challenges of variant and gene prioritization. […]

Inquire and Adapt: Barbara Spencer

Dr. Barbara Spencer is a Postdoctoral Fellow working with Corey McMillan in the Penn FTD Center. She joined Penn in 2020 after receiving a PhD in Neurosciences from UC San Diego. Her research looks into disentangling heterogeneity in the FTD-ALS spectrum using genotype and transcriptomic approaches.  We talked with Dr. Spencer about her journey in neurodegenerative […]

Illuminating Alzheimer’s Disease Genetic Architecture via Diversity

PNGC co-director, Dr. Li-San Wang, presented at the Illuminating Alzheimer’s Disease Genetic Architecture via Diversity webinar. The program explored the lack of genome research for Black, Latino, and Asian populations and highlighted the organizations fighting for more. Dr. Wang discussed the need for more research infrastructure to study AD in Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders […]

ACAD Recieves $40.5M Grant from NIH

The Asian Cohort for Alzheimer’s Disease (ACAD) has received a $40.5M grant from the National Insitute of Aging (NIA) that will fund the study’s research for the next five years. ACAD recruits Asian Americans and Canadians in nine research sites across North America to study Alzheimer’s genetics. UPenn is one of 16 research centers where […]

Dr. Gerard Schellenberg Honored by Brightfocus

Our very own Dr. Gerard Schellenberg, co-director of PNGC, has been honored by the Brightfocus Foundation for his extensive work in linking genetics and Alzheimer’s research. The honor recognizes exemplary scientists making breakthroughs to cure various diseases. Read more about the award and ceremony here.

PNGC Mourns the Passing of Dr. Christopher (Casey) Brown

PNGC is deeply saddened with the tragic loss of our friend and colleague, Dr. Christopher (Casey) Brown. Casey was a brilliant scientist and made significant contributions in Genetics of Gene Regulation in Alzheimer’s disease. We will miss him dearly and will fondly remember his kindness, charisma, and his dedication to mentoring students and postdoctoral researchers. […]

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