My laboratory at the University of Kentucky focuses on understanding how environmental stressors accelerate hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) aging and promote immune dysfunction and cancer development. Current projects investigate radon exposure effects on HSCs and DNA damage responses, particularly in Kentucky's high-radon environment. I also study how chronic alcohol consumption drives myeloid-biased hematopoiesis and contributes to age-related blood disorders. My laboratory examines SIRT7-mediated nucleolar stress responses in leukemia, exploring connections between metabolic dysfunction, NPM1 mutations, and therapeutic resistance mechanisms. We develop novel interventions targeting the intersection of aging, environmental toxicology, and cancer biology. Prior to academia, I spent a decade in biotech at Calico Labs (GOOGLE’s longevity moonshot) and Genentech. At Genentech I led a discovery team focused on regenerative medicine approaches for retinal diseases and immune system rejuvenation. This industry experience provided expertise in translational research, target validation, and therapeutic development for age-related disorders. My foundational work established that HSC quiescence promotes error-prone DNA repair leading to genomic instability, and that SIRT7 decline causes mitochondrial protein folding stress during aging. These discoveries inform current strategies for developing HSC-based therapies and environmental health interventions.