Isidora Gocmanac
Project title: Epigenomic profiling in disease relevant cell types
Supervisor: Dr Nathan Skene
Location: Level 7, Sir Michael Uren Hub, White City Campus, 86 Wood Lane, W12 0BZ
About me
My educational journey in the sciences began with a BSc in Genomics at the University of Bologna, where I immersed myself in the fields of genetics and bioinformatics. This foundation led me to pursue an MSc in Genomic Medicine at Imperial College London, an experience that allowed me to apply my knowledge within the context of disease research. It was during my MSc project, within the Skene Lab, that I worked on the development of the Targeted Insertion of Promoters Sequencing (TIP-seq), a novel method for epigenomic profiling. This project was not only pivotal for my academic growth but also for my transition into a PhD at the same lab.
Now, in my first year of PhD studies, I am focusing on a project titled “Testing for an enrichment of Alzheimer’s Disease associated genetic variants in neurons”. The goal of my current research is to uncover the relevant cell-types implicated in Alzheimer’s disease, utilising epigenomic data to navigate the complex landscape of neurodegenerative diseases.
Driven by a passion for understanding neurodegenerative diseases and equipped with a background in both wet-lab techniques and computational analysis, I am eager to contribute to groundbreaking research that has the potential to transform our understanding of these complex conditions.
Beyond academia, I am passionate about sports, enjoy spending time with family and friends, and love to travel, seeking new experiences and perspectives.
Qualifications
- 2022-2023: MSc Genomic Medicine, Imperial College London
- 2019-2022: BSc Genomics, University of Bologna
Contact details
Email: isidora.gocmanac22@imperial.ac.uk
LinkedIn: isidora-gocmanac-16b36124b
How temperature and circadian rhythms intersect to regulate a protein shown to protect against neurodegeneration
A new study led by Dr Marco Brancaccio (UK DRI at Imperial) and Dr Marieke Hoekstra (former UK DRI at Imperial, now VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain & Disease Research) offers a deeper insight into how a neuroprotective pathway is regulated both by temperature and the body clock. This research, published in the journal PNAS, could open up new therapeutic avenues for neurodegenerative disease. Read more on the UK DRI website
Introducing Cynthia Sandor: Pioneering earlier detection of Parkinson’s
Dr Cynthia Sandor, former Emerging Leader at the UK DRI at Cardiff, joins the UK DRI at Imperial as a Group Leader, where she will be tackling early diagnosis of Parkinson’s.
With a background in genetics, Dr Sandor uses computational methods to bring greater understanding to the underlying molecular mechanisms of Parkinson’s. Read more about Cynthia's work on the UK DRI website.
