Home Department: undeclared
Mentor: Eric Gross (Anesthesiology, Perioperative & Pain Medicine)

“Novel Aldehyde Dehydrogenase 2 Variants in Africans/African Americans Affect Acetaldehyde Metabolism”

Ever wonder why some people flush after drinking alcohol? This summer, Maya will have the opportunity to try to understand how genetic variations in a specific enzyme known as aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) may lead to alcohol flushing. This work will lead to a greater understanding of whether carrying certain inactive ALDH2 genetic variants can lead to a higher risk of heart disease and cancer when consuming alcohol.