In 2022, the AASEP scholarship provided me with a transformative opportunity to gain my first hands-on research experience in the Roussos Lab at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, a leading institution in neuropsychiatric genomics. Coming straight out of medical school with no prior wet lab experience, I was eager to broaden my perspective beyond clinical practice and deepen my understanding of Alzheimer’s disease—a condition I had frequently encountered in patients and their families.
During my traineeship, I focused on identifying genes differentially expressed in Alzheimer’s disease and enriched in specific cell types associated with the disorder. The goal was to uncover the molecular and cellular mechanisms driving disease progression and to identify potential therapeutic targets. Working with cutting-edge models, including iPSC-derived microglia and brain organoids, I explored the roles of these genes in the brain’s complex cellular landscape. This experience allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of microglia—the brain’s resident immune cells—and their emerging role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease.
The AASEP program also facilitated a pivotal connection with Dr. Panos Roussos, who now serves as my mentor during my graduate studies. Under his guidance, my current research focuses on leveraging genetic and genomic data to identify existing drugs that could be repurposed for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. By combining computational analysis with experimental validation, I aim to uncover novel therapeutic strategies that could ultimately improve patient care.
The support I received from AASEP has been instrumental in shaping my path toward becoming a physician-scientist—one who bridges clinical insight with scientific discovery to better understand and treat neurological diseases. I am deeply grateful for the opportunities the scholarship has afforded me and excited to continue pursuing research that holds the promise of meaningful impact.
Periklis Malakates, MD
PhD Student, Biomedical Sciences Genetics and Genomic Sciences
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York
