On behalf of the University of Miami McKnight Brain Institute, we would like to congratulate Dr. O’Shea on her K12 award. This exciting new research titled “Developing a DNAm Biomarker for Cognitive Aging: Addressing Disparities and Promoting Community Engagement” will hopefully bring us another step closer to understanding brain aging.
A few words from Dr. O’Shea
“I am honored to be selected as a K12 scholar. In line with UM-MBI’s dedication to translational neuroscience, this award will offer the mentorship and resources essential for my transition to an independently funded researcher. Supported by this award, the proposed study seeks to develop a novel epigenetic biomarker of cognitive aging for use as a dementia risk assessment tool. In tandem with UM-MBI’s commitment to community engagement, the study will collect data on the perceived clinical value of such a tool among historically underrepresented community older adults (race/ethnic minorities, and low income) to better understand specific barriers that can inform initiatives to broader community engagement in genomic/epigenomic translational neuroscience.”
