Personal profile
Research interests
I am specialized as a biomedical scientist and have extensive experience in metabolism, aging, and genetics in C. elegans. I was awarded an AMC PhD scholarship to pursue my PhD thesis, focusing on the metabolic control of aging in C. elegans, and earned my PhD degree in the fall of 2018 at the University of Amsterdam in the Netherlands. I continued my research on mitochondrial stress response and its role in metabolism and aging, under the supervision of prof. Johan Auwerx (EPFL, Switzerland) and supported by a post-doctoral fellowship (2019 Accelerator price winner). During the 3.5-year postdoc training, I initiated several projects focused on the role of lysosomes and their functions in stress responses and longevity. In the summer of 2022, I moved back to the Netherlands and am currently an Assistant Professor at the Amsterdam UMC - Location AMC. My research focuses on lysosomes, lipids, and aging, as well as translational projects that can benefit patients with lysosome disorders.
Research interests
Aging, Metabolism, Lysosome, C. elegans, Genetics
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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A lysosomal surveillance response to stress extends healthspan
Li, T. Y., Gao, A. W., Yang, R., Sun, Y., Lei, Y., Li, X., Chen, L., Liu, Y. J., Arey, R. N., Morales, K., Liu, R. B., Wang, W., Zhou, A., Zhao, T.-J., Li, W., Lalou, A., Wang, Q., Lima, T., Houtkooper, R. H. & Auwerx, J., Jul 2025, In: Nature cell biology. 27, 7, p. 1083-1097 15 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
Open AccessFile20 Downloads (Pure) -
Herbal terpenoids activate autophagy and mitophagy through modulation of bioenergetics and protect from metabolic stress, sarcopenia and epigenetic aging
Civiletto, G., Brunetti, D., Lizzo, G., Muller, K., Jacot, G. E., Daskalaki, I., Sizzano, F., Huh, M., di Meo, I., Colombo, M. N., Sanchez-Garcia, J. L., Bétrisey, B. J., Zollinger, A., Lino, P., Neal, C., Egesipe, A.-L., Richard, J., Chimen, M., Hermant, A. & Brinon, B. & 16 others, , Oct 2025, In: Nature Aging. 5, 10, p. 2003-2021 19 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
Open AccessFile43 Downloads (Pure) -
Immuno-metabolic stress responses control longevity from mitochondrial translation inhibition in C. elegans
Hu, I. M., Molenaars, M., Jaspers, Y. R. J., Schomakers, B. V., van Weeghel, M., Bakker, A., Modder, M., Dewulf, J. P., Bommer, G. T., Gao, A. W., Janssens, G. E. & Houtkooper, R. H., 1 Dec 2025, In: Nat. Commun.. 16, 1, 6083.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
Open AccessFile31 Downloads (Pure) -
Plasma triacylglycerol length and saturation level mark healthy aging groups in humans
Li, W., Schomakers, B. V., van Weeghel, M., Grevendonk, L., Vaz, F. M., Salomons, G. S., Schrauwen, P., Hoeks, J., Gao, A. W., Houtkooper, R. H. & Janssens, G. E., Apr 2025, In: Geroscience.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
Open AccessFile31 Downloads (Pure) -
Targeting phospholipase PLAG-15 promotes healthy aging in C. elegans via lysosomal-related genes
van der Rijt, S., Molenaars, M., Kamble, R., Li, W., Schomakers, B. V., Dane, A. D., Denis, S. W., van Weeghel, M., Vaz, F. M., Tammaro, A., Janssens, G. E., Gao, A. W. & Houtkooper, R. H., 18 Jul 2025, In: iScience. 28, 7, 112880.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
Open AccessFile21 Downloads (Pure)
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Nature communications (Journal)
Gao, A. (Reviewer)
2023Activity: Publication peer-review and editorial work › Publication peer-review
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Dutch Translational Metabolism Conference 2023
Gao, A. (Participant)
2022 → …Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Participation in conference › Academic
Prizes
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Award for outstanding poster and short talk presentation 2017 EMBO conference
Gao, A. (Recipient), 2017
Prize › Professional
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Press/Media
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Research Update from 2019 accelerators winner Arwen Gao, PhD
09/11/2023
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Press / Media
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Deciphering Science's Secrets: Lifespan, UPR, and Lysosomal Pathways with Dr. Arwen Gao on The VitaDAO Aging Science Podcast
15/10/2023
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Press / Media