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My research program lies in psychoneuroimmunology. Currently, my laboratory broadly focuses on the impact of the gut microbiome on Alzheimer’s disease (AD) development, as well as the interactions between neuropsychiatric symptoms and AD pathology. 

AD is a fatal, progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the early deposition of amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques, followed by pathological tau accumulation in the brain. Despite tremendous research efforts to understand this complex disease—which is influenced by multiple genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors—its exact pathophysiology remains unclear, and no effective treatments are currently available. 

The multifaceted nature of AD highlights the need for a comprehensive and multidimensional approach. Two distinct but potentially interconnected risk factors have recently garnered interest as regulators of AD pathology: (1) an unbalanced gut microbiome and (2) neuropsychiatric status. Although studies have suggested associations between these factors and AD, further research is needed to fully understand their mechanistic roles and to translate these findings into clinical applications. To investigate these complex interactions, we utilize genetically engineered mouse models and advanced, high-resolution neuroscience techniques—including multi-omics data analyses, optogenetic manipulation and monitoring—combined with neuropathological, biochemical, and behavioral analyses.