Selin Aktuna

Selin Aktuna is a toxicology scholar and PhD candidate in the Neuroscience program, conducting research under the guidance of Dr. Megan Mahoney and Dr. Howard Gritton. Her work investigates the neurodevelopmental consequences of prenatal phthalate exposure, with a particular focus on the mechanistic links between phthalate exposure, neuroinflammation, and the emergence of neural biomarkers associated with Alzheimer’s disease and early cognitive impairment. Her research also explores the interplay between systemic estradiol depletion and phthalate exposure, examining their combined effects on accelerated senescence. Her studies aim to contribute to our understanding of how environmental toxicants may influence neurodegenerative processes and cognitive function across the lifespan.”