Fellowship Start Year
2022
Status
Continuing
Research Topic
Exploring the Effects of Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Epigenetic Modifications to Develop Therapies for Pediatric Diseases
Arnold Olali
Bio
Dr. Arnold Olali is a postdoctoral fellow at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), where he works in the Center for Mitochondrial and Epigenomic Medicine under the mentorship of Dr. Douglas C. Wallace. His research focuses on understanding how mitochondrial DNA variations drive the risk of developing cancer and worsening symptoms following viral infections, including COVID-19. Dr. Olali earned his Ph.D. in Integrated Biomedical Science from Rush University Medical Center, where his dissertation explored the effects of HIV-inflammatory mediators and combined antiretroviral therapy on osteoblast function, bone mass, and bone quality. He also holds a B.S. in Conservation Biology from St. Lawrence University. His work at CHOP aims to uncover how mitochondrial variants, which are maternally inherited and highly variable, can predispose individuals to common diseases and affect overall health. Dr. Olali’s research is crucial for developing new strategies to mitigate these risks and improve health outcomes.
Postdoc Appointment
Department
- Research Institute
Center, Lab, or Institute
- Center for Mitochondrial and Epigenomic Medicine
Penn Faculty Mentor
- Douglas C. Wallace, Ph.D.
Education
Degrees
- 2022, Ph.D., Integrated Biomedical Science, Rush University, Medical Center
- 2015, B.S., Conservation Biology, St. Lawrence University
Disertation Title
The Effects of HIV-Inflammatory Mediators and Combined Antiretroviral Therapy (cART) on Osteoblast Function, Bone Mass, and Bone Quality: Potential Role of the Wnt/ β -Cantenin Signaling Pathway
Research Advisors
- Ryan D. Ross, Ph.D.
- Lena Al-Harthi, Ph.D.