Member Snapshot
Name: Andrew Jacobs Bilson, PharmD
Affiliation: Tulane University, Interdisciplinary Program in Aging Studies; Global Parkinson’s Genetics Program (GP2) Trainee
Location: New Orleans, USA
Current research topic: Parkinson’s disease, genetics, aging, data science
DCoP Member since: September 19, 2025
Research Summary
Dr. Bilson’s (@ajbilson) research aims to understand Parkinson’s disease through the lens of genetics, clinical features, and aging, with a particular interest in African populations. As a GP2 trainee, he is currently learning to work with large, multi-ancestry genetic datasets to study genetic factors that may contribute to Parkinson’s disease risk. During his doctoral studies at Tulane, Dr. Bilson explores the broader connections between aging, neurodegeneration, and health. Ultimately, he hopes to contribute to research that includes populations that have historically been underrepresented in Parkinson’s research.
Challenges, Wins, and Opportunities for Collaboration
What do you find to be the greatest data-related obstacles / challenges to your work and research?
For me, one of the biggest challenges is simply learning how to navigate large and complex genetic datasets. There is a lot to learn - from quality control and population structure to statistical analysis and biological interpretation. I also think the limited representation of African populations in many genetic datasets is an important challenge because findings from predominantly European datasets may not always apply equally to everyone.
Are there areas of your work where you think DCoP members could provide assistance / feedback to help overcome an issue or further your work?
I would really value advice from people who have experience working with large genetic datasets, particularly around data cleaning, quality control, population structure, and interpreting genetic findings. I am also interested in learning how others connect genetic data with clinical information in a meaningful way. More broadly, I would appreciate opportunities to learn from people who have gone through the process of developing from a beginner in bioinformatics into an independent researcher.
In the last year or two, have you experienced any significant ‘wins’ in your work and research that you would like to share (e.g., scientific breakthroughs, grant awards, major milestones completed, etc.)?
The biggest win for me has been the journey itself. I started out as a pharmacist in Ghana and gradually became more involved in Parkinson’s disease research (by virtue of working under the supervision of Dr. Vida Obese), which eventually led to my involvement with GP2. I have also had the opportunity to participate in international Parkinson’s research meetings and training (more recently the GP2 Bioinformatics Training Workshop and the African Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Conference, both held earlier this year in Nairobi, Kenya), and I recently began my PhD in Aging Studies at Tulane University. It has been exciting to see something that started as an interest in research gradually become the direction of my career.
Do you have any opportunities for collaboration in your lab or within your research project that we can highlight?
I am always open to connecting with people interested in Parkinson’s disease genetics, African populations, clinical phenotyping, aging, and data science. I would particularly welcome conversations around projects that can help improve the representation of African populations in Parkinson’s research and build research capacity across the continent.
How has your experience in the DCoP been so far?
It has been a really useful learning experience for me. I am still developing my skills in computational and genetic data analysis, so being able to learn from people who are further along in their careers has been valuable. I also appreciate that the community makes research and data-related questions feel approachable. Personally, it has been as much about learning from other people as it has been about learning technical skills.
What’s a fun fact about yourself?
Outside research, I enjoy music, sports, gaming, exploring new places, and learning about different cultures. I also have a particular interest in bringing pieces of Ghana with me wherever I go - whether through food, stories, or traditional Ghanaian gifts for people who have supported my journey in immense ways.
Thank you to @ajbilson for participating in our first community member highlight! If you would like your work to be highlighted in future newsletters, please reach out to @gginnan.