Aging is the primary risk factor for developing cancer. Despite the growing list of age-associated defects, we do not yet understand why aging is one of the most potent carcinogens.   

Dr. Ünal proposes to study a natural developmental process, called gametogenesis, which reverses cellular aging. She will use this as a platform to illuminate the molecular causes of aging and to develop new strategies to counteract age-induced cellular damage. Her approach will identify the genes that play a direct role in attenuating the aging process and could facilitate the development of novel strategies to improve human health by decreasing susceptibility to cancer.