Eunsu Park

Our glia-vascular biology lab seeks to understand how glia (microglia and astrocytes) interact with vascular cells to contribute to critical brain vascular diseases, particularly brain AVM, hemorrhagic stroke, vascular dementia, and aging-related pathology. Notably, our team established a novel sporadic brain AVM mouse model by overexpressing KRAS in endothelial cells, demonstrating that these mutant cells are sufficient to drive vascular malformation, ICH, neuroinflammation, neuronal death, and cognitive dysfunction (Park et al., 2021 Annals of Neurology, PMID: 33675084). GSBS students can gain experience with projects spanning the role of microglia/astrocytes and vascular cells in the context of how KRAS mutations in endothelial cells cause brain AVMs, hemorrhages, and related cognitive dysfunctions. We are also investigating the roles of endothelial cells in Parkinson's disease pathology. Our ultimate goal is to develop disease-modifying therapeutic strategies that move from bench to clinic.