Kristy Hwang

Kristy Hwang is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurology at the University of California, Irvine School of Medicine. Her research focuses on the genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying Alzheimer's disease, particularly the interaction between apolipoprotein E (apoE) plasma levels and brain amyloidosis.

• Alzheimer's disease
• Genetic risk factors
• Neuroinflammation
• Brain imaging

Key findings from her work include the modulation of apoE-brain amyloidosis associations by specific Alzheimer's risk genes (BIN1, CD2AP, CR1). Her 2015 study demonstrated that low plasma apoE correlates with increased amyloid deposits in most cortical regions, except sensorimotor and entorhinal areas, depending on genetic variants.

Scientific contributions span collaborations with the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative. Research grants from the NIH/NIA (P30 AG010124) support her investigations into epigenetic and downstream interactions in neurodegenerative pathways.