Member Spotlight

Q&A with David Lindeman, PhD, from the Center for Technology and Aging, Oakland, CA

		"GSA is instrumental in bringing together the latest thinking in aging from various perspectives and creating an atmosphere that supports advancing the field through rigorous research."
Meet David.

Q: How long have you been a member and how does GSA assist with your professional development?
A: I have been a member of GSA for more than 25 years, during which time  GSA has been the source for some of the best professional relationships of my career.  In addition to serving as a focal point for several collaborative initiatives, it is clear that ideas first germinated at GSA annual meetings have become the basis of several research initiatives I have been privileged to work on.

Q: How did you get interested in the field of aging?
A: My earliest interests were actually working with children; however, several family experiences with the challenges of chronic care and dementia galvanized my interest in how to improve the care and well-being of older adults.  I was fortunate to begin my career in aging at UC Berkeley and UC San Francisco, where I was able to work with a number of outstanding gerontologists.

Q: What are your key responsibilities at your job?
A: As the director of a center that focuses on the nexus of technology and aging, I work with a wonderful team that is responsible for identifying promising strategies and policies to spread the use of beneficial technologies to improve the lives of older adults.  Our work includes an interesting blend of grants management, applied research, and public policy.

Q: What has been your most memorable experience in gerontology and aging research?
A: Over the years, the projects that have resonated with me the most have been those that have been collaborative in nature – working with colleagues from multiple disciplines and across institutions.  The synergy and insights drawn from interdisciplinary perspectives has been very rewarding.

Q: How do you feel GSA serves the field of gerontology and aging research? 
A: GSA is instrumental in bringing together the latest thinking in aging from various perspectives and creating an atmosphere that supports advancing the field through rigorous research.  The interdisciplinary nature of the organization; its ability to foster the integration of practice, research and policy; and its more recent emphasis on translation of research into practice make it a critical organization to be a part of for any one interested in gerontology.

Q: Do you have any tips for emerging gerontologists?
A: We’re at an exciting time for gerontology, in spite of the economic pressures on research in aging.  Seeing the speed with which technology is changing how care is provided to older adults, how it brings new tools to the research community, would argue for emerging gerontologists as well as senior researchers to stay abreast of these rapid developments.

Q: Tell us a little about your most recent activities/accomplishments?
A: Our recent grant initiatives in collaboration with several foundations, the Administration on Aging, and the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technolgoy have been very exciting.  It has provided an opportunity to work with organizations, policymakers and practitioners to rapidly advance care processes through technology.

Q: Have you had an important mentor in your career? If so, how did it make a difference?
A: While I consider many members of the GSA community mentors, I need to mention the wonderful opportunity I had to work and learn from Denis Evans.  For those of us who have been fortunate enough to have his guidance, he has an undeniable impact on shaping the way one approaches research and the field of gerontology.