Kristen Hewes

A young woman in a suit jacket smiles at the camera against a white background

Sometimes it takes understanding of the smallest things to comprehend the big picture. Kristen Hewes came to understand this as a tenth-grade volunteer in an Alzheimer’s unit of a local nursing home. The experience was profoundly transformative for her. “These wonderful people were unable to remember their amazing lives, memories, and loved ones. Even though cells are the smallest functioning unit of life or the biological basis of life, the actual fullness of life is the memories you make and the moments you enjoy with your loved ones. This was the exact moment I became aware of the burden of disease,” says Kristen. From that point forward, Kristen’s path was clear: to search for answers to the molecular mysteries behind neurodegeneration.

Kristen pursued this mission at Wheaton College, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry and Public Health, spending over 650 hours in labs as she obtained her degree. Her objective is to find the causes of senile dementia at the in-depth biochemical molecular scale. Currently, in the Forth Laboratory, Kristen is exploring how the tau protein organizes and stabilizes the internal frameworks of neurons, known as microtubules, especially when they face mechanical stress from motor proteins that transport vital cargo inside cells. Her research focuses on uncovering how tau builds and maintains these intricate microtubule networks and how its dynamic, liquid-like behavior enables it to adapt to physical forces and stressors. This work is crucial because when tau malfunctions, it can cause these networks to collapse, leading to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. Ultimately, a deeper understanding of tau’s role could pave the way for new therapies to combat this disorder and other neurodegenerative diseases.

“Kristen is tackling a very complex problem with a novel set of biophysical tools in order to discover new biology of neurodegenerative disease,” says her advisor, Scott Thomas.  “She is able to move from the wet lab to the microscope to the data analysis pipeline quite adeptly, which will help us to generate important insights into tau protein function. She has also taken the initiative to help mentor and train several undergraduate researchers, reflecting her passion for both research and teaching. Kristen has really flourished in and out of the lab during her time at RPI, and I am excited to see where her career takes her!”

For her work, Kristen was awarded the prestigious NIA T32 Fellowship, a recognition that has opened doors for collaborative research and expanded opportunities to explore the molecular underpinnings of neurodegenerative disease. Kristen was drawn to Rensselaer by the rich diversity of the Biology and BCBP Department, which spans fields from neuroscience and microbiology to ecology and biochemistry. An enthusiastic mentor and teacher, Kristen has guided numerous undergraduates in the lab, training them in advanced imaging techniques like TIRF microscopy and fostering their growth as scientists. Looking ahead, she aspires to become a professor and lead her own research laboratory where she can continue advancing cytoskeletal biology and inspiring the next generation.

Outside the lab, Kristen loves to stay active; she’s currently training for a half-marathon alongside a close friend she met here during graduate school. She also cherishes spending time with her Samoyed, Cookie, who joins her on outdoor adventures exploring the Capital Region.

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