Dr. Adrianna San Roman

Biography

Biomedical research has historically overlooked the role that sex differences play in health and disease, resulting in disparities in healthcare and understanding basic human biology that drives medical advancements. There is an increasing appreciation for the important differences between the sexes that manifest over the lifespan and across various diseases. For instance, sex-biased phenotypes can be observed in physical traits like height, body fat percentage, and variations in immune cell types. Additionally, a wide variety of diseases exhibit significant sex biases; autoimmune diseases, for example, are prevalent in females, with lupus occurring in nine females for every male diagnosed. In contrast, non-reproductive cancers and neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder are more common in males. The molecular mechanisms that lead to these sex differences are largely unknown, with sex chromosome constitution—specifically the number of X and Y chromosomes—being the largest source of genetic variation in the human population. Understanding these molecular mechanisms and the combination of environmental and hormonal factors that result in the vast phenotypic differences observed across the spectrum of sex is critical for developing effective treatment and prevention strategies to address historical disparities in research and clinical care. The goal of the San Roman lab is to uncover the molecular mechanisms of sex differences in human biology, leveraging powerful technologies in human genetics to dissect the complex variables of sex.

Research Interests

Experience

Courses