Madeline Andrews, an assistant professor in the School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering, part of the Fulton Schools, is interviewed about her research involving reprogramming blood or skin cells into brain cells to study neurological disorders. Her lab is using induced pluripotent stem cells to investigate how cells change over time, particularly in healthy development and disease states. The focus is on glucose metabolism, because 20 to 25% of glucose consumed is used by the brain. Andrews wants to understand how glucose intolerance and other nutrients impact brain function and communication. Future research will examine these processes in patients with disorders such as autism and Alzheimer’s.