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Dr Shea Andrews
Name:
Dr Shea Andrews
Job Title:
Assistant Professor
Place of work / study:
University of California San Francisco
Area of Research:
Genetic Epidemiology of Alzheimer’s disease
How is your research funded:
NIH-NIA; Alzheimer’s Association
Tell us a little about yourself:
I completed a dual Bachelor’s degree at the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia, where I earned a Bachelor of Arts with majors in Journalism and Political Science, and a Bachelor of Science with a major in Genetics, graduating with Honors in Biochemistry.
I then pursued my PhD in Medical Science at the Australian National University. My thesis focused on “Predicting Cognitive Decline: Genetic, Environmental, and Lifestyle Risk Factors,” reflecting my growing interest in the intersection of genetics, the environment, and neurodegenerative diseases.
Following my PhD, I conducted a postdoctoral fellowship at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York, where I worked in the lab of Dr. Alison Goate. My research there deepened my understanding of the genetic factors contributing to neurodegenerative conditions.
Currently, I am a faculty member at UCSF. My lab is dedicated to unraveling the causal pathways that underlie the development of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD). We employ statistical genetics and genetic epidemiology to analyze large genetic and phenotypic datasets. Our research, supported by NIH-NIA and Alzheimer’s Association funding, focuses on several key areas: (1) identifying causal risk factors for ADRD using genetic correlations, polygenic risk scores, and Mendelian randomization; (2) understanding the role of mitochondrial genomics in ADRD pathogenesis; and (3) evaluating ancestry-specific effects of AD genetic variants on endophenotypes.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself:
I enjoy reading science fiction and fantasy novels
Why did you choose to work in dementia research?
I kind of stumbled into it. During my PhD, there were several open projects, and I chose to work on genotyping a population-based cohort for Alzheimer’s disease-associated SNPs. That project sparked my interest in dementia research, and I’ve been passionate about it ever since.
What single piece of advice would you give to an early career researcher?
While luck plays a significant role in academic success, hard work is what positions you to seize those lucky opportunities when they come your way.
What book are you reading right now? Would you recommend it?
Non-fiction: The Philosophy and Practice of Science by David Teplow Fiction: The Wandering Inn by pirateaba
Favourite ways to unplug and unwind?
Reading
Favourite film of all time?
Star Wars (all of them)
