Campus address: Med Labs B002

Primary department: Department of Psychiatry

Interdisciplinary program(s): Human Toxicology

Research description: The Shen lab seeks to understand the complex interplay between genes and environment in neuropsychiatric disorders. We are particularly interested in the impact of early-life and cumulative exposures on later-life outcomes as related to mood disorders and psychosis. We draw upon tools and perspectives from diverse fields, including systems biology, drug discovery, and environmental health sciences.

Our current focus is on oxidative stress, a convergence point of cellular dysfunction across neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders. Using cellular models as a starting point, we are examining the combinatorial effects of genetic variants and environmental exposures (e.g., dietary antioxidants and smoking-related toxicants) on oxidative stress in brain cell types. By gaining a molecular understanding of exposures related to social determinants of health, we aim to bridge basic science and health services research to improve mental health outcomes.