Ask the Expert Interviews

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

Sean X. Leng, MD, PhD, on COVID-19 and the Promise of Geroscience

2020

Sean X. Leng, MD, PhD, and his laboratory team at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine study the biology of healthy aging with a…

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Sean X. Leng, MD, PhD, on COVID-19 and the Promise of Geroscience
Nathan LeBrasseur, PhD, on Sarcopenia, the Protein Myostatin, and Exercise

2019

From the dawn of time, Nathan K. LeBrasseur, PhD, says, “maintaining mobility has been critical for survival. Sometimes, people may smirk…

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Nathan LeBrasseur, PhD, on Sarcopenia, the Protein Myostatin, and Exercise
Claire McEvoy, PhD, RD, on the Mediterranean Diet and the Link Between Nutrition and Brain Health

2019

As a 2015 Paul B. Beeson Emerging Leaders Career Development Award in Aging scholar, Claire McEvoy, PhD, RD, has focused her fellowship…

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Claire McEvoy, PhD, RD, on the Mediterranean Diet and the Link Between Nutrition and Brain Health
Catherine Kaczorowski, PhD, on Alzheimer’s, Cognitive Resilience, and Translation

2018

After winning a New Investigator Award in Alzheimer’s Disease from the American Federation for Aging Research (AFAR) and The Rosalinde and…

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Catherine Kaczorowski, PhD, on Alzheimer’s, Cognitive Resilience, and Translation
Vera Gorbunova, PhD, on Naked Mole Rats, Cancer, and Longevity

2018

Vera Gorbunova, PhD, is currently leading a five-year study funded by a $9.5 million grant from the National Institute on Aging that is…

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Vera Gorbunova, PhD, on Naked Mole Rats, Cancer, and Longevity
Thomas A. Rando, MD, PhD, on Young Blood, Biomarkers, and Aging

2018

Thomas A. Rando, MD, PhD, an American Federation for Aging Research (AFAR) Board Member and two-time grantee, continues to do pioneering…

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Thomas A. Rando, MD, PhD, on Young Blood, Biomarkers, and Aging
Jenn LaVardera, MS, RD, on Healthy Eating and Aging

2016

As biomedical research continues to deepen our understanding of the processes of aging, a growing body of evidence reveals nutrition as an…

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Jenn LaVardera, MS, RD, on Healthy Eating and Aging
Nicholas Gillitt, PhD, on the Research behind Nutrition and Aging

2016

As biomedical research continues to deepen our understanding of the processes of aging, a growing body of evidence reveals nutrition as an…

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Nicholas Gillitt, PhD, on the Research behind Nutrition and Aging
Eric M. Reiman, MD, on Alzheimer's disease

2015

An estimated 44.7 million people worldwide are living with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, according to the World Health Organization.…

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Eric M. Reiman, MD, on Alzheimer's disease
Thomas Johnson, PhD, on the Biomarkers of Aging

2013

"Biomarkers of aging" are a hot topic in the news--but what are they, really? Thomas Johnson, PhD, a leading expert in aging research and…

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Thomas Johnson, PhD, on the Biomarkers of Aging
John Morley, MD, on Fragility

2013

The word "frail" is used colloquially to describe older people so often that many people do not realize that frailty is a distinct…

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John Morley, MD, on Fragility
Stephen Thielke, MD, MSPH, on Pain and Aging

2012

According to the National Institutes of Health, pain is the most common reason Americans access medical care and a leading cause of…

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Stephen Thielke, MD, MSPH, on Pain and Aging
Daniel Promislow, PhD, on Genetics and Aging

2012

While you may have the genes for red hair and blue eyes, contrary to common thinking, one gene alone or even two won’t determine whether…

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Daniel Promislow, PhD, on Genetics and Aging
Anne Louise Oaklander, MD, PhD, on Neuropathic Pain, Shingles, and Pain Prevention

2012

Pain is a major public health problem. According to the 2011 report by the Institute of Medicine, at least 116 million adult Americans…

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Anne Louise Oaklander, MD, PhD, on Neuropathic Pain, Shingles, and Pain Prevention
Judith Campisi, PhD, on Cancer and Senescence

2012

Many people know that aging is the biggest risk factor for cancer, but fewer know why. Judith Campisi, PhD, has been a pioneer developing…

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Judith Campisi, PhD, on Cancer and Senescence
Malaz M. Boustani, MD, MPH, on Alzheimer's, Dementias, and Prevention

2012

Alzheimer's disease is nearly surpassing cancer as the disease Americans are most fearful of getting, according to a survey commissioned…

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Malaz M. Boustani, MD, MPH, on Alzheimer's, Dementias, and Prevention
R. Sean Morrison, MD, on Palliative Care and Caregiving

2012

A survey conducted by the National Alliance for Caregiving estimates that more than one third of adult children are caring for an older…

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R. Sean Morrison, MD, on Palliative Care and Caregiving