.jpg "Gina R. Roslan, BS photo")
Graduate Student
Rutgers University
As a PhD candidate in Nutritional Sciences at Rutgers University, I am interested in exploring the complex interplay between lifestyle factors, health, and disease prevention with an emphasis on vascular health, and dementia. My research experience began as an undergraduate at the University of Delaware, where I investigated how early feeding practices influence growth outcomes in infants with congenital heart disease under the guidance of Dr. Jillian Trabulsi. This initial experience enhanced my human research and data management skills and fueled my interest in studying how lifestyle factors impact health outcomes. Building on this experience, I completed a senior thesis exploring the interaction between EWSFLI1 and NKX2.2 proteins in Ewing's Sarcoma, a pediatric bone cancer, with Dr. Mona Batish. I gained hands-on experience with advanced experimental techniques and developed a deeper understanding of cell biology and protein interactions. This work strengthened my knowledge of basic sciences, laying a foundation for my future research. Currently, under the mentorship of Dr. Joshua Miller at Rutgers University, I am investigating vascular contributions to neurodegeneration, focusing on peripheral microvasculature abnormalities, plasma homocysteine concentrations, and their potential independent and synergistic influences on cerebral structure and vasculature. By detecting changes before overt cognitive impairment occurs, there is the potential for early interventions that prevent or delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. This research will elucidate the relationships among microvascular abnormalities, Hcy concentrations, and cerebral vasculature and structure in older adults paving the way for targeted interventions to modify these biomarkers and potentially prevent or delay disease progression. Looking ahead, I am interested in continuing research to include dietary and lifestyle interventions for vascular disease and dementia prevention. My goal is to bridge the gap between research and clinical practice, ensuring that nutrition science is effectively translated into strategies that improve health outcomes. I am especially interested in advancing the understanding of lifestyle interventions for cognitive decline and contributing to the development of accessible, evidence-based dietary interventions for the prevention and treatment of dementia.