Carolina Franco, a PhD student in the UC Irvine School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, has been awarded the Estée Lauder Epigenetics Fellowship in honor of Paolo Sassone-Corsi.
An initiative of the UC Irvine School of Medicine’s Center of Epigenetics and Metabolism, the fellowship program was established in memory of Paolo Sassone-Corsi, PhD, the late Donald Bren Professor of Biological Chemistry and director of the Center. The fellowship was created to support PhD students who are involved in epigenetics research.
“Epigenetics research is crucial because it reveals how external factors influence gene expression, helping us understand the interactions between genes, diet, and the environment,” said Franco. “This knowledge is essential for studying aging, metabolic disorders and cancers, enabling us to develop targeted therapies and preventive strategies based on these insights.”
Franco is a graduate student researcher in the Albrecht Lab at UC Irvine, led by Assistant Professor Lauren Albrecht, PhD. Franco’s research centers on how lysosomes regulate cell metabolism and epigenetics by impacting sphingolipid metabolism through the modulation of serine synthesis.
“I investigate the regulatory mechanisms of serine metabolism through lysosomes and how these processes influence gene expression and contribute to health and disease,” she explained. “By uncovering these relationships, I aim to advance our understanding of the role of metabolism in epigenetic regulation and its implications for various diseases.”
The support of the fellowship will give Franco funding to continue her research, develop her skills and expertise, and advance her career as a scientist.
“I feel incredibly fortunate to be part of this legacy and grateful for the opportunity to contribute to such impactful and meaningful work, with the support of Estée Lauder and in memory of a true pioneer, Dr. Sassone-Corsi,” she said. “This will enable me to pursue my research goals with greater resources and mentorship, with the ultimate goal of contributing to important advancements in epigenetics and metabolism.”
