From aging biomarkers to better therapeutics.
We investigate how to measure biological aging and how existing drugs might help promote healthier lives—bringing together multi-omics, rigorous causal inference, and population-scale health data.
About the lab
At Decoding Aging Lab (DAL), our research asks two connected questions: what do molecular biomarkers reveal about biological aging, and can approved medications be repurposed to improve later-life health? We apply biostatistics, multi-omics, statistical genetics, and longitudinal clinical data to generate and evaluate evidence.
Scientific approach
Our approach pairs proteomic aging measures with robust evaluation of potential interventions. We use statistical genetics and causal inference—including Mendelian randomization and target trial emulation—to translate data into testable hypotheses, while recognizing the limitations of observational evidence.
Research themes
Understanding the biology of aging and identifying opportunities to improve healthy longevity.
We develop and validate proteomic and other molecular measures of biological aging, with a focus on healthspan, frailty, disease risk, and individual differences in aging trajectories. These include the Proteomic Aging Clock (PAC) and Healthspan Proteomic Score (HPS).
We investigate new therapeutic uses for existing medications by integrating clinical and genetic evidence. Our methods include drug-target Mendelian randomization, target trial emulation, pharmacoepidemiology, and analyses of large real-world health datasets.
Our people
Our lab is rooted in biostatistics and strengthened by collaborations across aging biology, epidemiology, and clinical science.
Associate Professor · Department of Public Health Sciences
UConn Health
Research: biological aging biomarkers, drug repurposing, proteomics, statistical genetics, and causal inference. Co-Leader, UConn Pepper Center Data Resource Core.
We welcome scientific partnerships that connect methods, molecular data, and clinical knowledge to questions about healthy aging.
Selected scholarship
Ten peer-reviewed papers highlighting our work in biomarkers of aging, geroscience, therapeutic mechanisms, and quantitative population research.
Introduces the Healthspan Proteomic Score (HPS), a plasma-protein signature associated with healthy survival and age-related outcomes.
Develops and validates a proteomic aging clock associated with mortality risk and age-related disease outcomes.
Investigates systemic and organ-specific proteomic and epigenetic aging in major depressive disorder.
Examines how vitamin D status and inflammation jointly relate to phenotypic age acceleration.
Identifies molecular signatures associated with dementia risk among individuals with major depressive disorder.
Characterizes senescence-associated properties of bladder barrier cells and their response to senolytic interventions.
Tests targeted clearance of p21-high cells and its effects on healthspan and lifespan in mice.
Applies genetic risk prediction to study clinical outcomes during calcium-channel blocker treatment.
Assesses telomere length and dementia risk using large-scale epidemiology and Mendelian randomization.
Evaluates whether telomere length mediates associations between air pollution and coronary heart disease.
Contact & collaboration
Interested in collaborating on aging biomarkers, drug repurposing, or quantitative aging research? We would love to hear from you.