Shengxin Liang

PhD thesis:

Age-driven Change in Cardiovascular Drug-related Proteomic Profile Underlying Clinical Practice of Deprescription in Elderly Patients

Age is the major risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and related cardiometabolic syndromes, leading to the use of chronic medications (e.g. lipid-, glucose- and blood pressure-lowering drugs) for prevention and management of disease in older age. The risk benefit ratio of these medications may vary over time, especially considering existing empirical evidence supporting deprescription for better health outcome in elderly patients.

The proteome, and other omics layers, are dynamic across ages and environments, presenting an opportunity to investigate if age-driven differences in drug responses are mediated by the proteome. Therefore, this research project aims to link proteome measurements to drug use and investigate how drug-related proteome profiles change by age, affecting drug- induced phenotypes. 

Who or what inspired you to pursue your research interests?

I have always been interested in pharmaceuticals as I grew up with my grandparents who are both doctors. At McGill University, I studied human genetics and my project supervised by Professor Jamie Engert introduced me to pharmacoepidemiology and pharmacogenetics. At Harvard University, I furthered my research interest with training in combining genetics and real-world electronic health data, working with Professor Zhi Yu and Dr. Akl Fahed. I’m excited to join the groups of Professors Mike Inouye and Samuel Lambert at the Cardiovascular Epidemiology Unit for my PhD degree!