Julia TCW, PhD
Assistant Professor
Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine
Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics

PhD, Harvard University
AM, Harvard University
BS, Catholic University of Korea

Pronouns: doctor TCW/ Ph.D.: Harvard University



Dr. Julia TCW received Ph.D. and A.M. in Molecular and Cellular Biology from Harvard University with research studies in induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) reprogramming in the Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology. She then perused her postdoctoral research in the Department of Neuroscience, Ronald M. Loeb Center for Alzheimer’s Disease, Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York with a research focus of the development of iPSC models and study Alzheimer’s disease (AD) genetics. She achieved Druckenmiller Fellowship award from New York Stem Cell Foundation and K, U and R awards from NIH-NIA.

Our research laboratory is aiming at human induced pluripotent stem cell therapeutics. There are two main goals; 1) Deciphering functional mechanisms of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) genetics using in vitro iPSCs and in vivo iPSC/mouse Chimera models and 2) Developing in vitro model systems of human brain for drug screen.

1. Much of our research focuses on the effects of AD genetic risks, especially Apolipoprotein E4 (APOE4), the most significant risk factor for late-onset AD on human brain cell types. Our lab uses the forward genetic, unbiased multi-Omics computational (bioinformatics) approach to uncover pathways and network defects of AD genetic risks and demonstrate molecular mechanisms of the risk factors in CNS cell types derived from CRISPR/Cas9 genome-edited isogenic and population iPSCs. We develop novel computational pipelines to identify molecular and network drivers and integrate genetics and transcriptomics/proteomics for a functional genomic study. In vitro and in vivo work have been focused on efferocytosis, lipid metabolism, matrisome and inflammation in pure human microglia, astrocytes and organoids (multiple brain cell types as a whole) associated with AD genetic risks. Further, our lab is also collaborating with the industry to find a drug target for AD therapeutics.

2. We have developed multiple novel CNS cell type protocols including astrocytes, microglia, pericytes, neural progenitors and glutamatergic neurons and continuously put our effort to advance the 2D models to 3D human brain model to establish efficient platforms for drug screen.

Director of the Laboratory of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Therapeutics
Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine




Microglia targeted interventions in prodromal Alzheimer's disease stage
08/01/2023 - 05/31/2028 (PI)
NIH/National Institute on Aging
5R01AG083941-03

Elucidating endolysosomal trafficking dysregulation induced by APOE4 in human astrocytes
04/01/2023 - 03/31/2028 (PI)
NIH/National Institute on Aging
3R01AG082362-03S1

Reelin and Receptor Splicing in Alzheimer's Disease
06/01/2024 - 05/31/2027 (Multi-PI)
PI: Julia TCW, PhD
NIH/National Institute on Aging
1RF1AG086313-01

The Super Ager Bio Hub: A force multiplier
10/01/2025 - 09/30/2026 (PI)
Karen Toffler Charitable Trust


Modulation of astrocyte matrisome signals reprogram microglia that can be targeted to mitigate Alzheimer's disease
07/01/2022 - 06/30/2026 (PI)
Bright Focus Foundation


Cholesterol modulation as a therapeutic target for Alzheimer's disease
06/01/2024 - 05/31/2026 (PI)
The Edward N. & Della L. Thome Memorial Foundation


Biology and pathobiology of apoE in aging and Alzheimer's disease - Core E
10/01/2021 - 05/31/2026 (Subcontract PI)
Mayo Clinic Jacksonville NIH NIA
5U19AG069701-05

Deciphering molecular and cellular lipid metabolism of APOE Christchurch variant on human astrocytes of Alzheimer's disease
05/01/2024 - 04/30/2026 (PI)
Ludwig Family Foundation


Deciphering isogenic APOE isoform dependent neurodegenerative response in human glia
03/01/2022 - 02/28/2025 (PI)
NIH/National Institute on Aging
5K01AG062683-05

Uncovering APOE4 Matrisome endophenotypes using human iPSC-based models
09/15/2022 - 08/31/2024 (PI)
NIH/National Institute on Aging
1R56AG078733-01

Showing 10 of 12 results. Show All Results


Title


Yr Title Project-Sub Proj Pubs

Publications listed below are automatically derived from MEDLINE/PubMed and other sources, which might result in incorrect or missing publications. Faculty can login to make corrections and additions.

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  1. Zhang M, Kim Y, Bosworth A, Tcw J, Nih LR, Kisler K, Sagare AP, Rust R. Brain pericytes derived from human pluripotent stem cells retain vascular and phagocytic functions under hypoxia. Stem Cells. 2025 Oct 16; 43(11). PMID: 40737487; PMCID: PMC12573254; DOI: 10.1093/stmcls/sxaf055;
     
  2. Inoue Y, Wang H, Heckman MG, Ren Y, White LJ, Lu W, Wang P, Tcw J, Koga S, Alnobani A, DeTure M, Murray ME, Petersen RC, Dickson DW, Bu G, Han X, Kanekiyo T. Impact of APOE on cerebrovascular lipid profile in Alzheimer's disease. Acta Neuropathol. 2025 Oct 08; 150(1):39. PMID: 41060400; PMCID: PMC12507989; DOI: 10.1007/s00401-025-02949-5;
     
  3. Wang E, Yu K, Cao J, Wang M, Katsel P, Song WM, Wang Z, Li Y, Wang X, Wang Q, Xu P, Yu G, Zhu L, Geng J, Habibi P, Qian L, Tuck T, Li A, Tcw J, Roussos P, Brennand KJ, Haroutunian V, Johnson ECB, Seyfried NT, Levey AI, Bennett DA, Peng J, Cai D, Zhang B. Multiscale proteomic modeling reveals protein networks driving Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis. Cell. 2025 Oct 30; 188(22):6186-6204.e13. PMID: 41005309; DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2025.08.038;
     
  4. Floro L, Tcw J. Astrocytes have no CLU they contribute to Alzheimer's disease. Neuron. 2025 Jun 18; 113(12):1849-1851. PMID: 40541328
     
  5. Rust R, Sagare AP, Kisler K, Kim Y, Zhang M, Griffin C, Wang Y, Clementel V, Torres-Sepulveda C, Tcw J, Zlokovic BV, Coba MP. Molecular signature and functional properties of human pluripotent stem cell-derived brain pericytes. bioRxiv. 2025 Apr 28. PMID: 40291694; PMCID: PMC12026417; DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.26.546577;
     
  6. Wang S, Li B, Li J, Cai Z, Hugo C, Sun Y, Qian L, Tcw J, Chui HC, Dikeman D, Asante I, Louie SG, Bennett DA, Arvanitakis Z, Remaley AT, Kerman BE, Yassine HN. Cellular senescence induced by cholesterol accumulation is mediated by lysosomal ABCA1 in APOE4 and AD. Mol Neurodegener. 2025 Feb 04; 20(1):15. PMID: 39901180; PMCID: PMC11792374; DOI: 10.1186/s13024-025-00802-7;
     
  7. Cruz-Sese J, Mirón-Alcala M, Alfonso-Triguero M, Olalde J, Ruiz L, Galbis-Gramage N, Cortes L, Escobar L, Preman P, Snellinx A, Saito T, Saido TC, Saiz-Aúz L, Rábano-Gutiérrez A, Tcw J, Goate A, Strooper B, Alberdi E, Arranz AM. Divergent Effects of APOE3 and APOE4 Human Astrocytes on Key Alzheimer's Disease Hallmarks in Chimeric Mice. bioRxiv. 2025 Jan 29. PMID: 39975251; PMCID: PMC11838330; DOI: 10.1101/2025.01.28.635271;
     
  8. Kloske CM, Belloy ME, Blue EE, Bowman GR, Carrillo MC, Chen X, Chiba-Falek O, Davis AA, Paolo GD, Garretti F, Gate D, Golden LR, Heinecke JW, Herz J, Huang Y, Iadecola C, Johnson LA, Kanekiyo T, Karch CM, Khvorova A, Koppes-den Hertog SJ, Lamb BT, Lawler PE, Guen YL, Litvinchuk A, Liu CC, Mahinrad S, Marcora E, Marino C, Michaelson DM, Miller JJ, Morganti JM, Narayan PS, Naslavsky MS, Oosthoek M, Ramachandran KV, Ramakrishnan A, Raulin AC, Robert A, Saleh RNM, Sexton C, Shah N, Shue F, Sible IJ, Soranno A, Strickland MR, Tcw J, Thierry M, Tsai LH, Tuckey RA, Ulrich JD, van der Kant R, Wang N, Wellington CL, Weninger SC, Yassine HN, Zhao N, Bu G, Goate AM, Holtzman DM. Advancements in APOE and dementia research: Highlights from the 2023 AAIC Advancements: APOE conference. Alzheimers Dement. 2024 Sep; 20(9):6590-6605. PMID: 39031528; PMCID: PMC11497726; DOI: 10.1002/alz.13877;
     
  9. Sahelijo N, Rajagopalan P, Qian L, Rahman R, Priyadarshi D, Goldstein D, Thomopoulos SI, Bennett DA, Farrer LA, Stein TD, Shen L, Huang H, Nho K, Andrew SJ, Davatzikos C, Thompson PM, Tcw J, Jun GR. Brain Cell-based Genetic Subtyping and Drug Repositioning for Alzheimer Disease. medRxiv. 2024 Jun 21.View Related Profiles. PMID: 38947056; PMCID: PMC11213108; DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.21.24309255;
     
  10. Wang S, Li B, Cai Z, Hugo C, Li J, Sun Y, Qian L, Remaley AT, Tcw J, Chui HC, Bennett DA, Arvanitakis Z, Kerman B, Yassine H. Cellular senescence induced by cholesterol accumulation is mediated by lysosomal ABCA1 in APOE4 and AD. Res Sq. 2024 May 14. PMID: 38798644; PMCID: PMC11118681; DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4373201/v1;
     
Showing 10 of 49 results. Show More

This graph shows the total number of publications by year, by first, middle/unknown, or last author.

Bar chart showing 49 publications over 14 distinct years, with a maximum of 7 publications in 2020 and 2021 and 2025

YearPublications
20071
20092
20141
20151
20161
20174
20181
20196
20207
20217
20223
20233
20245
20257

2025-2026 Karen Toffler Charitable Trust: Toffler Scholar Award
2024-2026 Edward N. and Della L. Thome Memorial Foundation: Edward N. and Della L. Thome Memorial Foundation Award in Alzheimer’s Disease Drug Discovery Researc
2024-2026 The Carol & Gene Ludwig Family Foundation: Carol and Gene Ludwig Award for Neurodegeneration Research
2023 Keystone Symposia: Keystone Symposia Early Career Investigator Travel Award
2022 Karen Toffler Charitable Trust: 2022 Toffler Scholar Award
2022 BrightFocus Foundation: BrightFocus Foundation Alzheimer’s Disease Research Award
2019-2023 NIH: Mentored Research Scientist Career Development Award
2018 Keystone Symposia: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) Scholarship
2018 5th International Conference on Molecular Neurodegeneration : BrightFocus Foundation travel award
2018 Charleston Conferences on Alzheimer’s Disease (CCAD) : Yong investigator nominee
2017-2019 New York Stem Cell Foundation: Druckenmiller Fellowship
2017 Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai : Promising Young Investigator Award
2016 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference : Postdoctoral Poster Competition Winner Award
2016 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference : Travel fellowship
2015 from Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation : Young Investigator Scholar travel fellowship
In addition to these self-described keywords below, a list of MeSH based concepts is available here.

Alzheimer's disease genetics, Microglia, Astrocytes, Bioinformatics, Human iPSC modeling
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