Xuansong Mao
Faculty Mentor
Zhen Yan
Professor
Research Areas/Interests
Molecular exercise physiology, neurodegenerative diseases, skeletal muscle adaptation
How long have you been in your postdoctoral position at Virginia Tech?
November 2022
Briefly describe the research project you are working on as a postdoctoral associate at Virginia Tech. What is the problem you are addressing? What is the expected impact of your work?
I am working on understanding the neuro-molecular mechanisms led by exercise that prevent/treat the cognitive impairment caused by Alzheimer's disease (AD). AD is the major cause of dementia in teh U.S. with no effective cure currently available. It is estimated that there are 6.5 million Americans living with AD and this number is projected to reach 11.2 million by 2050.
Excercise, a lifestyle intervention, has been proven to be effective in both preventing and mitigating the cognitive sympotms induces by AD. Through utilizing transgenic AD animal models and CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing, I am trying to unveil the underlying mechanisms of exercise that mediate the neuronal cell function, and thus, cognitive function, in the context of AD. My main research endeavor is to pave the way for clinical studies and provide the potential for a druggable target for AD.
Why did you choose to pursue postdoctoral training at Virginia Tech?
Virginia Tech is a world-renowned university with a strong commitment to interdisciplinary developemnt and cutting-edge research. Virginia Tech researchers have access to state-of-the-art facilities, funding opportunities, and career and professional development resources, which help to enhance one's research skills and experiences.
What are your career goals?
My career goal is to become an academic researcher studying exercise and its relationship to neurodegenerative disesase, including Alzheimer's disease.
How do you see the resources available to postdoctoral associates at Virginia Tech generally and via this program specifically being helpful to your career and professional development?
I believe that the communication, grant writing, management, and leadership learning resources provided by both Virginia Tech and the Research and Innovation Postdoctoral Scholars program will be very beneficial to me.