Penn State Biochemist McReynolds Wins Hypothesis Grant

Melanie McReynolds' project aims to study the metabolic origins of NAD+ to understand aging and disease.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 3:36am

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A highly structured abstract painting in soft, earthy tones, featuring sweeping geometric arcs, concentric circles, and precise botanical spirals, conceptually representing the complex metabolic systems involved in the production and consumption of the molecule NAD+ within the human body.A conceptual illustration of the intricate metabolic pathways and molecular interactions that underlie the aging process, as studied by biochemist Melanie McReynolds.Princeton Today

Melanie McReynolds, an early career biochemist at Penn State, has been awarded a seed grant from the Hypothesis Fund to support her research on the role of the molecule NAD+ in aging and disease. McReynolds' project, "Is Aging a Failure of Metabolic Communication?", was selected for its bold, innovative approach to understanding the metabolic vulnerabilities associated with aging.

Why it matters

McReynolds' research on NAD+ metabolism could lead to important insights into the fundamental causes of aging and age-related diseases like type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer's, and cancer. By studying how NAD+ is produced and consumed in the body, she aims to identify potential targets for interventions that could help counter the effects of aging.

The details

The Hypothesis Fund supports early-stage, high-risk research projects that have the potential for significant long-term impact. McReynolds' project was selected for its boldness and willingness to tackle a big, complex question about the metabolic origins of aging. As the Dorothy Foehr Huck and J. Lloyd Huck Early Career Chair in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Penn State, McReynolds is an up-and-coming scientist who has already received prestigious awards and fellowships, including a CAREER award from the National Science Foundation.

  • In 2025, McReynolds received a Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) award from the U.S. National Science Foundation.
  • In 2021, McReynolds was named an inaugural fellow of the Intersections Science Fellows Symposium and a Rising Star in Health Sciences Research by the University of Utah.
  • In 2018, McReynolds was recognized as a Hanna H. Gray Fellow by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and a member of the Burroughs Wellcome Fund Postdoctoral Research Enrichment Program.

The players

Melanie McReynolds

An early career biochemist and the Dorothy Foehr Huck and J. Lloyd Huck Early Career Chair in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Penn State University. She studies the metabolic vulnerabilities associated with aging, focusing on the molecule NAD+.

The Hypothesis Fund

An organization that aims to advance scientific knowledge by supporting early-stage, innovative research that increases adaptability against systemic risks to the health of people and the planet.

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The takeaway

McReynolds' research on NAD+ metabolism has the potential to unlock fundamental insights into the causes of aging and age-related diseases. By supporting early-stage, high-risk projects like hers, the Hypothesis Fund is helping to drive scientific progress in critical areas that could have far-reaching impacts on human health.