Project Summary/Abstract This diversity supplement to the NIAAA R37 grant is in support of the candidate Dr. Amani Lee. Dr. Amani Lee will pharmacologically inhibit epigenetic regulators of the mobility and matrix formation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). He will work with both commercial inhibitors (e.g. Tazemetostat, iBET151) and novel inhibitors, developed by collaborators at the University of Minnesota, to elucidate downstream effects that will influence activation/migration and matrix formation for HSCs. Co-inhibition is hypothesized to reduce both the migration of HSCs and fibrogenesis in liver disease models. In total, this approach has the potential to identify downstream targets that converge two regulatory pathways, as well as, highlight the potential for a pharmacological co-treatment of alcohol-associated liver fibrosis. This supplement will combine Dr. Lee’s expertise in chemistry with his desire to learn how to translate frontier biomedical research into effective and practical clinical applications. Given his PhD, he will independently function in bench-based experimentation and develop methodology necessary to advance the project. He will also be trained in advanced molecular genetics and cell biology techniques by lab members in the Shah Lab. Additionally he will have the opportunity to audit workshops and short courses at Mayo to enhance his background knowledge of molecular biology and epigenetics. Dr. Shah will have weekly one-on-one meetings with Dr. Lee, in addition to quarterly meetings, where they will review Dr. Lee’s career development plans. Furthermore, Dr. Lee will be co-mentored in how to find, draft, and submit grant applications, clinical journal papers, and conference publications. It is our goal that within 24 months of approval Dr. Lee will be well-suited to apply for NIH grants (e.g., F32), as well as, obtain the tools to design his own experiments on biological systems affected by alcohol-associated liver disease.