Christina Chan is a professor of chemical engineering and materials science in the College of Engineering. She was recently named one of MSU’s University Distinguished Professors in 2019.
I work in the department of chemical engineering and material science. My research is focused on diseases that are affecting the elderly.
As one ages, there’s a chronic inflammation that develops that can contribute to cardiovascular disease, cancer, arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease. If we have a better understanding of how these diseases develop, we can identify better therapeutic targets that might get at the cause of the disease as opposed to addressing the symptoms.
One of the most significant research accomplishments has been through the collaboration with graduate students at MSU. We were able to identify these markers in the bloodstream that may be able to indicate whether a person will be developing Alzheimer’s.
It’s not like we’re trying to search for the “fountain of youth,” but we would like to find ways to improve the quality of life of people.
Reused with permission from WKAR.
