David Alagpulinsa, MD, PhD, brings his expertise to Yale School of Medicine as a recently appointed assistant professor in Yale Center for Molecular and Systems Metabolism and Department of Comparative Medicine. Alagpulinsa is also a valued member of the Vascular Biology Therapeutics Program. In this engaging conversation with Kanika Jain, associate research scientist at the Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Alagpulinsa shares his inspiring scientific journey and enduring passion for research.
Kanika (K): Tell us a little bit about your background.
David (D): I spent my formative years in Ghana, where I completed my secondary school education at Notre Dame Minor Seminary and Senior High school and my undergraduate studies in pharmacy at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. I moved to the United States to pursue a PhD in Interdisciplinary Biomedical sciences with a focus on cancer biology at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock, Arkansas. My doctoral studies revolved around genomic instability in multiple myeloma, a form of cancer that affects mature B cells or plasma cells that accumulate in the bone marrow. Specifically, I delved into the mechanisms by which myeloma cells manage to evade immune detection and death, despite high levels of concomitant DNA damage and genome instability or mutations. Subsequently, I completed my postdoctoral training at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) & Harvard Medical School in Boston, transitioning from cancer biology to type 1 Diabetes, two conditions with opposing immunobiology. My postdoctoral studies focused on islet replacement therapy for type 1 Diabetes, a chronic disease in which insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreatic islets are selectively detected and destroyed by an autoimmune response.
K: How did you become involved in your research field?
D: To be honest, it was almost serendipitous as if it was just meant to be. Initially, I had never really considered delving into type 1 Diabetes. But then I discovered the incredible potential of stem cell-derived islets for treating type 1 Diabetes. The ability to generate insulin-producing islet cells from human stem cells in vitro was truly captivating and drew me to type 1 Diabetes. During my postdoctoral research, I realized that this disease serves as a model for understanding a myriad of other diseases. It's intriguing how this disease, which typically manifests in youth, can also lead to cardiovascular diseases at an early age. Surprisingly, patients with type 1 Diabetes have an increased risk of coronary artery disease even in the absence of traditional cardiovascular disease risk factors such as dyslipidemia or hypercholesterolemia. The process of aging and its associated diseases, including autoimmunity and cardiovascular diseases, takes an entirely distinct path in patients with type 1 Diabetes. This paradox really fascinates me.
K: What attracted you to Yale?
D: A few years back, as a recipient of a Physician/Scientist career development award at MGH, I was quite content and wasn't actively seeking a change. However, Yale stood out from the rest when I tried to explore faculty positions beyond MGH and Harvard. The reception I received, and being at Yale during the faculty recruitment process, really instilled a sense of excitement and confidence in my work. I felt welcomed, and there was an unspoken assurance that I could accomplish truly great things here. It was a gut feeling, as if I had found my niche for scientific success, along with a sense of relaxation that I couldn't ignore. This sentiment grew even stronger during my second visit to Yale when I delivered a chalk talk and had the chance to dine with the faculty. I felt confident and could vividly envision my future at this institution. While I had always held a deep admiration for MGH and Harvard Medical School, YSM felt like the place where I could truly be the best version of myself.
K: Can you tell us what you’ll be doing in your role as an assistant professor at the Yale School of Medicine and what most excites you about the position?
D: As an assistant professor at YSM, my primary focus will be on running a research program dedicated to type 1 Diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Specifically, I would be delving into the complex world of hematopoiesis and blood cell formation, an area that hasn't received as much attention in type 1 Diabetes. My work aims to uncover the intricacies of blood cell formation in type 1 Diabetes, looking beyond the scope of pancreatic beta cells and insulin deficiency.
Regarding what excites me the most about this position, I think it is the opportunity to mentor a diverse range of individuals, including undergraduates, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers. I've always had a multitude of ideas bubbling in my mind, and this role grants me the freedom to pursue a wide array of innovative concepts. It's a unique and thrilling challenge, particularly considering the complexities of the disease I'm working with. I'm determined to explore every avenue that can lead to groundbreaking discoveries.
K: What are the big picture questions you are trying to answer?
D: An important area of interest for me is to decipher the intriguing connection between type 1 diabetes and coronary artery disease. I'm particularly interested in identifying specific biomarkers in the bone marrow and hematopoiesis that establish this link. My goal is to find ways to target these markers and effectively treat both conditions simultaneously. I also hope to write a comprehensive textbook on the intricate link between type 1 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Beyond my individual research, I'm passionate about inspiring more scientists to explore and engage in this area of research, facilitating a collaborative effort to tackle these challenging questions.
K: What career advice do you have for students and trainees aspiring to follow a similar path as yours?
From my perspective, scientists are a lot like athletes. To excel, you must identify your own training plan that works best for you and train diligently and consistently.
David Alagpulinsa
K: That’s an interesting analogy! What is your training strategy?
D: Obviously this differs for everyone! For me, this involves staying at the forefront of my field, consistently maintaining a deep understanding of my research field. I am committed to stay up to date with the latest discoveries and identifying knowledge gaps. I take pride in my ability to succinctly summarize the current state of research and discuss these gaps at any point in time. I make it a habit to read daily to foster a curious and inquisitive mindset.
If I talk about my routine, I thrive as a morning person. During my doctoral and postdoctoral studies, I made it a habit to be in the lab by 7 AM. My day usually begins with a cup of coffee setting the stage for dedicated writing time, during which I jot down questions and thoughts. I allocate anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour every day to reading, focusing on specific journals and keywords to ensure I stay well-informed. This forms the foundation of my strategy. Luckily, writing also doubles as a stress-relief strategy for me.
K: This is a great strategy!
D: Thank you! It works well for me. Setting aside time each morning helps me remain informed and motivated to tackle the intriguing questions in this field. My curiosity and passion drive me as I start my day.
K: What do you enjoy doing in your free time outside of work?
D: I find great enjoyment in listening to music, and I often work or read with music playing in the background. Soccer has been a passion of mine since grade school; I still love to play when I can. On Sundays, I have a particular routine of doing nothing for several hours, which I find invigorating. I also relish the simple pleasure of taking leisurely walks in nature. This practice of unwinding on Sundays was instilled in me during high school and has become an integral part of my routine.