Education

• BS, Biology and English, California Institute of Technology
• MD, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO
• PhD, Molecular Genetics and Genetics, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO
• Residency, Psychiatry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA

Research Concentration

The Shen lab seeks to understand the complex interplay between genes and environment in neuropsychiatric disorders. We are particularly interested in the impact of early-life and cumulative exposures on later-life outcomes as related to bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, autism, substance use disorders, and neurodegeneration. We draw upon tools and perspectives from diverse fields, including genomics, drug discovery, and environmental health. Our current focus is on oxidative stress, a convergence point of cellular dysfunction across neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders. Using cellular and animal models, we are examining the combinatorial effects of genetic variants and environmental exposures (e.g., toxicants from pollution and antioxidants from diet) on oxidative stress in brain cell types. By gaining a molecular understanding of exposures related to social determinants of health, we aim to bridge basic science and health services research to improve mental health outcomes.