b'Alexandra (Ally) Nguyen, Ph.D.T he human brain is one of the mostto support early-career investigators. TheI just grew up in the woods and really enjoyed complex and mysterious parts of theprogram backs researchers at this pivotalbeing outside and learning about animals.body, crucial for so many functionspoint in their careers, ensuring ColoradosHowever, after taking a community college that fuel life. From the billions of neuronsmost promising scientists can thrive and makebiology class, a fire was lit that eventually led firing to the proteins that keep our DNA intact,breakthrough discoveries without leaving theher to a Ph.D., postdoctoral research at MIT, neuroscience provides many of the answersstate in search of funding. and now, her own lab at CU Anschutz.to questions that researchers have wrestledThese researchers are united by the mission with for generations.Her research centers on a protein complex to decode the biology behind developmentalcalledcohesin,aversatileproteinthat Scientists working in Colorado are making newdisorders and, ultimately, improve patients lives.wears many hats. Cohesin has its hands in discoveries about the human brain, examiningFueled by curiosity, grit, and a drive to push past the molecular and synaptic roots of neurode- the boundaries of whats already known, these velopmental disorders. researchers exemplify being Driven by Science,Thats what were For Life as they pursue discoveries that could At the University of Colorado Anschutz Medicaltransform our understanding of conditions likedoing: basic Campus, Ally Nguyen, Ph.D., studies how cells maintain and repair their genomesa foundationalautism and genetic syndromes. biology that lays process in neuroscience, as failures in genome maintenance are often linked to neurodevel- CU Anschutz Scientist Searchesthe groundwork opmental disorders. A short drive north at Colorado State University, Chris Vaaga, Ph.D.,for Cohesins Role in DNA Repairinvestigates how early cerebellar developmentAlly Nguyen, Ph.D., an assistant professor infor life-changing might shape social and cognitive behavior.the Department of Cell and Developmentaltreatments.Both researchers are recipients of grants fromBiology at CU Anschutz, says her beginnings the Boettcher Foundations Webb-Waringin research followed quite the unconventionalALEXANDRA NGUYEN, Ph.D., DEPARTMENTBiomedical Research Awards, a program thatpath. I do not come from a science family orOF CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY CU ANSCHUTZprovides $250,000 in funding over three yearsa college family by any means, said Nguyen. 2025-2026 BIOSCIENCE COLORADO 43'