Prize Scholar: Monica Hu

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the leading causes of blindness and severe visual impairment worldwide, affecting over 200 million people in the global population. Despite the significant burden on the quality of life of many individuals, there are very few treatments available for the ‘dry’ form of the disease, which affects 90% of patients.

My DPhil focuses on an important genetic risk factor for AMD, the APOE gene. An individual carrying the APOE2 variant, instead of the standard APOE3 variant, has an increased risk of developing AMD, while carrying the APOE4 variant reduces the risk. My DPhil work, supervised by Dr Kanmin Xue and Prof Robert MacLaren, investigates two key aspects of APOE in AMD: its potential as a therapeutic target using CRISPR gene editing technology, and its role in AMD disease mechanisms. We hope that this translational research can bring to light new therapeutics for this blinding disorder.

I have thoroughly enjoyed being a student at Merton College during my DPhil. The graduate community is extremely welcoming and diverse. I remain ever grateful for the generous funding and assistance from Merton College, the Clarendon Fund, and the Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences. This invaluable support has not only enabled me to pursue my DPhil at Oxford but also presented me with the opportunity to share my research at international conferences.