Ashley Walker’s primary research interest is vascular aging. The decline in vascular function with advancing age contributes to the increased risk for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Dr. Walker’s research seeks to determine the molecular mechanisms that lead to age-related vascular dysfunction, such as the role of inflammation and telomere dysfunction. In addition, she is interested in determining the functional consequences of age-related vascular dysfunction, with a particular focus on the development of atherosclerosis and Alzheimer’s disease.

Dr. Walker earned her BS in Exercise and Sport Science from Oregon State University and her PhD in Integrative Physiology from the University of Colorado Boulder. She performed postdoctoral fellowships at Cedars Sinai Medical Center and the University of Utah. She then joined the faculty at the University of Utah as a Research Assistant Professor. She joined the Department of Human Physiology at the University of Oregon in the Fall of 2017.