Member Spotlight

Q&A with Xiao Xu, PhD from New Haven, Conneticut.

		"The conduct of aging research often requires in-depth knowledge about many related fields such as geriatric medicine, cognitive neuroscience, epidemiology, medical sociology, etc.  While we are all willing and eager to learn new things, we can never become an expert in all these fields.  Thus, it is important to be open-minded and willing to collaborate with other researchers who can provide the expertise needed in our research."
Meet Xiao.

Q: How long/Why did you become a member and how does GSA assist with your professional development?
A: I have been a member of the GSA since 2002.  I joined GSA when I was a graduate student to present findings from my very first research project at that year’s Annual Scientific Meeting.  The experience opened up a whole new world of academic life for me.  The many activities and avenues of communication offered by the Society provided valuable opportunities to connect with researchers in aging, keep up with the latest advances in methodology, and inspire exciting research ideas.  Until this day, I continue to benefit tremendously from the various career development and professional networking opportunities through the GSA.

Q: How did you get interested in the field of aging?
A: I was first introduced to the field of aging while working as a graduate research assistant for Dr. Gail Jensen at Wayne State University, who is nationally known for her research on employer-sponsored health insurance.  I was intrigued by the many interesting yet challenging questions surrounding older adults’ health care.  For example, would managed care adversely influence older adults’ health outcomes while trying to contain cost?  How should we care for near-elderly adults (those aged 55-64) if they lost employer-sponsored health insurance but were not eligible for Medicare coverage yet?  Later I was able to enroll in the pre-doctoral training program in aging and health at the Institute of Gerontology, Wayne State University, which allowed me to learn more about the field of gerontology, the importance of interdisciplinary research, and the many skills essential for conducting aging research.

Q: What are your key responsibilities at your job and/or school?
A: I am currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences at Yale University School of Medicine.  As a core faculty member in the Department’s Comparative Effectiveness Research Section, I lead and participate in various research projects bridging aging and women’s health issues.  In addition, I actively contribute to medical education by mentoring medical students, resident physicians, and fellows through various avenues, particularly by advising, supporting and assisting them on research projects.     

Q: What has been your most memorable experience in gerontology and aging research?
A: My most memorable experience in aging research was when one of my papers was selected by the Gerontological Health Section as Honorable Mention for the 2005 Aetna Susan B. Anthony Award for Excellence in Research on Older Women and Public Health at the 133rd American Public Health Association annual meeting.  It was a study examining the influence of insurance coverage on older women’s use of essential health services.  This was one of my first studies integrating aging and women’s health research.  I was excited to present the study at the meeting and was very encouraged to see its value recognized by experts in the field. 

Q: Do you have any tips for emerging gerontologists?
A: I have learned many important lessons in my career and hope they can be useful to new gerontologists coming to the field.  The conduct of aging research often requires in-depth knowledge about many related fields such as geriatric medicine, cognitive neuroscience, epidemiology, medical sociology, etc.  While we are all willing and eager to learn new things, we can never become an expert in all these fields.  Thus, it is important to be open-minded and willing to collaborate with other researchers who can provide the expertise needed in our research.  It is also important to always seek advice and feedback from clinicians and public health workers who work with the elderly on a daily basis.  They know the best about the needs of and issues faced by older people.  This helps make sure that our research can have real impact on improving people’s lives.  All can benefit from professional networking, which allows one to stay connected with experts in the field and informed of the latest developments in aging research. 

Q: Tell us a little about your most recent activities/accomplishments?
A: With a dual training background in health economics and gerontology, my research to date has focused on improving health care delivery and health outcomes of older adults and women.  Some of my recent research activities involve economic evaluations of pelvic floor disorders and various prevention and treatment interventions for these conditions, which disproportionately affect older women.  My other research projects examine the trajectories of physical and mental health in old age, the causes and consequences of cost-related medication non-adherence among older Americans, hospital and geographic variations in health care costs, and gender differences in cardiovascular health.  I recently moved to Yale University and I am excited to build new research collaborations with many of the aging researchers at Yale.

Q: Have you had an important mentor in your career? If so, how did it make a difference?
A: I am very fortunate to have been mentored by several talented and generous mentors.  Dr. Gail Jensen, a health economist at Wayne State University, introduced me to the field of aging and has advised me through the years of training until this day.  Dr. Jersey Liang at the University of Michigan welcomed me to his research team, taught me many essential research skills, and provided great opportunities for me to build up research experience.  Their invaluable mentorship have guided me and prepared me toward becoming an independent researcher in aging.  I sincerely hope to reciprocate the positive mentorship I have received to a new cadre of students and researchers.