Q: How long have you been a GSA member?
A: Since 1996.
Q: How specifically has membership in GSA benefitted you?
A: Joining GSA has been incredibly rewarding for me, both personally and professionally. It’s given me the chance to connect with others in my field, scientists I’ve learned from, collaborated with, and turned to for insight and guidance. Attending the Annual Scientific Meetings has helped me stay informed about emerging trends in the biology of aging and has continually energized my research program. These meetings have also provided invaluable opportunities to share my own research discoveries with a broader audience and to highlight the work of my trainees. In fact, GSA has played a key role in helping my trainees engage with the scientific community, present their research, and build confidence as early-career scientists. The chance to serve, whether within the Biological Sciences Section or on the Board of Directors, has been both an honor and a catalyst for new opportunities I might not have encountered otherwise. Perhaps most importantly, being part of GSA has given me a strong sense of connection, purpose, and support that continues to shape my scientific journey.
Q: How did you get interested in the field of aging?
A: My interest in the biology of aging began long before my formal education. As a young person, I spent time in long-term care facilities, volunteering, which gave me a lasting understanding of the challenges older adults face. This awareness grew during my training as a physical therapist, where I worked closely with older adults and saw how aging affects mobility, independence, and quality of life. These clinical experiences sparked my curiosity about the underlying biological mechanisms driving these changes and how we might intervene earlier or more effectively.
Q: What projects are you working on in your current position?
A: Our research team is committed to uncovering the causes of skeletal muscle dysfunction with aging. Using cutting-edge technologies and preclinical animal models, we explore the complex processes behind muscle aging and actively test specific interventions aimed at delaying the onset of muscle dysfunction.
Q: What do you love most about your line of work?
A: Being an academic scientist focused on skeletal muscle aging has provided me with many opportunities, making it difficult to pinpoint just one thing I love most about this work. From exploring the intricate biology behind muscle aging to collaborating with colleagues and mentoring the next generation of scientists, every aspect of my research journey is rewarding. I cherish the chance to contribute to meaningful discoveries that have the potential to improve health. The continuous learning, problem-solving, and creativity involved in scientific inquiry keep me motivated and inspired every day.
Q: What was the best piece of advice you got early on in your career you’d like to pass on to emerging gerontologists?
A: Early in my career, I was advised to pay close attention to outliers in my data rather than to ignore them. Instead of seeing them as outliers, I was encouraged to ask what biological and/or experimental factors might explain these unexpected results. This mindset helped me uncover new insights and generate important hypotheses. I’d pass this advice on to anyone starting out: outliers can be valuable clues that lead to discovery.