How Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids shape
I am a postdoctoral researcher studying how the timing of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid exposure—from parental diet and early development to aging—shapes reproduction, behavior, learning, memory, and lifespan through metabolic and epigenetic mechanisms. My work integrates multiple model systems, including C. elegans, zebrafish, and aquaculture species, with omics approaches and computational analysis to uncover conserved principles of lipid biology. I am particularly interested in why individuals respond differently to dietary fatty acids, with the goal of advancing precision nutrition and brain health.
Department of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology
Heersink School of Medicine
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Research Themes
Nutritional Programming
How parental and early-life diets create persistent effects on metabolism, development, and physiological performance. A central question in my work is how early nutritional environments shape long-term phenotypes through conserved molecular pathways.
Fatty Acids and Neural Function
How omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids influence neuronal signaling, behavior, learning, and aging. I am particularly interested in why responses to dietary fatty acids vary across developmental stage, physiological context, and individual biology.
Epigenetic Regulation
How DNA methylation and histone modifications connect diet to long-term biological outcomes. My work examines how metabolic signals are translated into persistent molecular states that influence health and aging.
Model Systems Biology
Using C. elegans, zebrafish, and aquaculture species to uncover conserved lipid pathways. Integrating multiple systems allows me to connect mechanistic insight with translational relevance in nutrition and brain health.
Recent Publications
Mentorship & Teaching
Mentored 2 PhD, 6 MSc, and 9 undergraduate researchers across the U.S., Spain, and Turkey.
Teaching and mentoring experience spanning aquaculture nutrition, fish physiology, developmental biology, and research methods.
My mentorship philosophy focuses on developing independent, critical thinkers prepared for research, graduate, medical, and interdisciplinary careers.
News & Service
Contact
For collaborations, research discussions, mentoring, or speaking invitations please reach out.
University of Alabama at Birmingham