Q&A with Daichi Shonai: Uncovering Early Molecular Changes in Parkinson’s Disease
February 5, 2025Daichi Shonai, a PhD student at Duke University, hopes to identify early warning signs of Parkinson’s disease by investigating the early molecular changes within the nerve cells that stop functioning in this brain disorder.
Parkinson’s disease is a brain disorder affecting an estimated 1 million Americans that causes movement issues such as tremors, rigidity, and stiffness. These symptoms result from the death of nerve cells that produce dopamine, a chemical that helps these cells communicate with one another.
Daichi Shonai, a PhD student at Duke University, received a 2024 PhRMA Foundation Predoctoral Fellowship in Drug Discovery for his research investigating the early molecular changes that occur within these nerve cells, particularly disruptions in the transport of proteins, which are essential for cell function.
Shonai will map the locations of proteins within the cells and identify significant alterations in Parkinson’s. By understanding these early molecular disruptions, he hopes to identify early warning signs of the disease and develop new treatments that target the root causes.
Watch this video to learn about Shonai and his research.
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