Ask the Expert Interviews

AFAR experts and leaders in the field answer questions about the latest developments in basic research and lifestyle interventions.

Ask the Expert: Ming Xu, PhD, on the state of senescence research and his 2023 Vincent Cristofalo Rising Star Award

2023

Dr. Xu is focused on cellular senescence, a major contributor to the fundamental process of aging. His pioneering research uses both novel…

Ask the Expert: Ming Xu, PhD, on the state of senescence research and his 2023 Vincent Cristofalo Rising Star Award
Ask the Expert: Claire Ankuda, MD, MPH, MSc, on how Medicare Advantage shapes care for the seriously ill and her 2023 Terrie Fox Wetle Rising Star Award

2023

A palliative medicine physician and a clinician-investigator, Dr. Ankuda’s research is seeking evidence for changing Medicare policies to…

Ask the Expert: Claire Ankuda, MD, MPH, MSc, on how Medicare Advantage shapes care for the seriously ill and her 2023 Terrie Fox Wetle Rising Star Award
Ask the Expert: Rafael de Cabo, PhD, on the benefits of several types of caloric restrictions and his 2023 Irving S. Wright Award

2023

At the NIA, one of the 27 centers and institutes at the federal government’s National Institutes of Health, the goal of Dr. de Cabo’s work…

Ask the Expert: Rafael de Cabo, PhD, on the benefits of several types of caloric restrictions and his 2023 Irving S. Wright Award
Ask the Expert: Thomas M. Gill, MD, on his experience as a clinician-researcher, disability care, and his 2022 Irving S. Wright Award

2022

A practicing geriatrician and clinical epidemiologist, Dr. Gill is a leading international authority on the epidemiology and prevention of…

Ask the Expert: Thomas M. Gill, MD, on his experience as a clinician-researcher, disability care, and his 2022 Irving S. Wright Award
Ask the Expert: Jamie N. Justice, PhD, on senotherapeutics, the future of geroscience, and her 2022 Vincent Cristofalo Rising Star Award

2022

A translational scientist, Dr. Justice’s research aims to evaluate the functional role of biological processes underlying human aging, and…

Ask the Expert: Jamie N. Justice, PhD, on senotherapeutics, the future of geroscience, and her 2022 Vincent Cristofalo Rising Star Award
Ask the Expert: Benjamin Han, MD, MPH, on public health for older adults, opioid use disorder, and his 2022 Terrie Fox Wetle Rising Star Award

2022

An internist, geriatrician, addiction medicine physician, and clinician-researcher, Dr. Han's work focuses on the intersection of chronic…

Ask the Expert: Benjamin Han, MD, MPH, on public health for older adults, opioid use disorder, and his 2022 Terrie Fox Wetle Rising Star Award
Ask the Expert: Hattie Herman

2022

AFAR is proud to participate in 2022 Careers in Aging Week, organized by our long-time partner Gerontological Society of Aging. In…

Ask the Expert: Hattie Herman
Ask the Expert: Andrea N. Sherman, MS

2022

AFAR is proud to participate in 2022 Careers in Aging Week, organized by our long-time partner Gerontological Society of Aging. In…

Ask the Expert: Andrea N. Sherman, MS
Ask the Expert: Odette van der Willik

2022

AFAR is proud to participate in 2022 Careers in Aging Week, organized by our long-time partner Gerontological Society of Aging. In…

Ask the Expert: Odette van der Willik
Ask the Expert: Andrea Gilmore-Bykovskyi, PhD, RN, on Equity in Research and Care

2022

Health is often not a result of doctors chosen or genetics, but is unfortunately determined at times by things like economics, education,…

Ask the Expert: Andrea Gilmore-Bykovskyi, PhD, RN, on Equity in Research and Care
Ask the Expert: Morgan Levine, PhD, on Measuring Biological Age

2022

What happens when you take the power of computer processing and apply it to aging research? A revolutionized approach to biomedical…

Ask the Expert: Morgan Levine, PhD, on Measuring Biological Age
Ask the Expert Interview: Malene Hansen, PhD, on Autophagy and Aging Research

2022

Building a legacy in any field of research takes intense dedication and Malene Hansen has set a crucial example of what’s possible with a…

Ask the Expert Interview: Malene Hansen, PhD, on Autophagy and Aging Research
Ask the Expert Interview: Dr. Brandon Westover, MD, PhD, on AI and Sleep Data for Brain Health Research

2021

Dr. Brandon Westover’s training points to his passion for the brain, mathematics, and computing. He holds a PhD in physics and is a…

Ask the Expert Interview: Dr. Brandon Westover, MD, PhD, on AI and Sleep Data for Brain Health Research
Ask the Expert Interview: Adam Gazzaley, MD, PhD, on gaming, neuroscience, and cognitive health

2021

Dr. Adam Gazzaley is a neuroscientist, neurologist, author, and entrepreneur. Over the course of his career, he has merged his scientific…

Ask the Expert Interview: Adam Gazzaley, MD, PhD, on gaming, neuroscience, and cognitive health
XinQi Dong, MD, MPH, on the COVID-19 variant and older adults

2021

Dr. XinQi Dong is a population health epidemiologist and geriatrician. He has focused his career on violence prevention, elder justice and…

XinQi Dong, MD, MPH, on the COVID-19 variant and older adults
James Kirkland, MD, PhD, on senescence research and early senolytics (Part 1)

2020

Dr. James Kirkland’s research explores how cellular aging impacts a range of age-related and chronic diseases. In a recent interview, Dr.…

James Kirkland, MD, PhD, on senescence research and early senolytics (Part 1)
James Kirkland, MD, PhD, on expanded senolytics, geroscience, and translation (Part 2)

2020

Dr. James Kirkland’s research explores how cellular aging impacts a range of age-related and chronic diseases. In a recent interview, Dr.…

James Kirkland, MD, PhD, on expanded senolytics, geroscience, and translation (Part 2)
Sean Curran, PhD, on the molecular genetics of longevity and the potential for clinical translation

2020

Dr. Sean Curran’s research focuses on defining the molecular mechanisms utilized by novel homeostatic pathways, which influence animal…

Sean Curran, PhD, on the molecular genetics of longevity and the potential for clinical translation
Nir Barziliai, MD, on what we can learn about longevity from SuperAgers and Centenarians

2020

Dr. Nir Barzilai’s research explores the genetics and biology of aging through the lens of exceptional longevity. The recipient of multiple…

Nir Barziliai, MD, on what we can learn about longevity from SuperAgers and Centenarians
Pinchas (Hassy) Cohen, MD, on his career, mitochondrial discoveries, and aging research in a COVID-19 world.

2020

Dr. Pinchas (Hassy) Cohen’s discovery of the existence of a new protein-making gene encoded in the human mitochondrial genome, humanin, was…

Pinchas (Hassy) Cohen, MD, on his career, mitochondrial discoveries, and aging research in a COVID-19 world.