Lipsitz Chosen as GSA’s Next Medical Sciences Journal Editor

The Gerontological Society of America (GSA) — the nation’s largest interdisciplinary organization devoted to the field of aging — has named Lewis A. Lipsitz, MD, FGSA, of the Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research at Hebrew SeniorLife, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and Harvard Medical School as the next editor-in-chief of the medical sciences section of The Journal of Gerontology, Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, effective January 2021.

“It is with great pleasure that we welcome Dr. Lipsitz as the next editor-in-chief for the Journal of Gerontology Series: Medical Sciences,” said Ishan C. Williams, PhD, FGSA, the chair of GSA’s Program, Publications, and Products Committee. Dr. Lipsitz’s years of extensive experience working with older adults along biomedical principles will provide a keen eye to identifying promising research and strategies to support even the most vulnerable older adults. His scientific leadership in the field of geriatrics is a clear strength for ensuring the journal continues to excel as a leading resource to scientists across the world.”

The Journals of Gerontology, Series A is published by Oxford Journals on behalf of GSA. Its medical sciences section contains peer-reviewed articles on health-related aspects of human aging, such as biomarkers of aging, multisystem physiology of aging, multimorbidity, age-related disability including the cognitive, physical, and psychological aspects of function, novel aging populations such as ethnic and racial minorities or the oldest old, global health and aging, healthy aging, and health span. The journal is especially interested in translational research that addresses the functional consequences of aging biology and/or age-related disease, and novel interventions designed to slow and prevent functional decline and improve health outcomes. For 10 consecutive years, the journal has had the highest impact factor of publications ranked in the gerontology category of Journal Citation Reports: Social Sciences Edition.

“It is a great honor for me to take the reins from the outstanding editors preceding me, who made the Journal of Gerontology: Medical Sciences one of the most highly cited, scientifically rigorous, and authoritative journals in our field,” Lipsitz said. “I look forward to building upon the excellent foundation they have established by expanding the Journal’s scientific content; engaging multi-disciplinary trainees, faculty, and practitioners from around the world; and enhancing its public impact. It is a privilege to work with the many associate editors, reviewers, contributors, and board members who are critical to its success.”

Lipsitz is the director of the Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research at Hebrew SeniorLife, chief of the Division of Gerontology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School.

His research is focused on age-related alterations in blood pressure and cerebral blood flow regulation and their relation to falls, syncope, and cognitive dysfunction. Lipsitz has served as principal investigator of a National Institute on Aging (NIA)-funded Program Project Grant for more than 26 years, an Older American Independence Center Grant for over 15 years, and a Hartford Foundation Center of Excellence in Geriatric Medicine for 15 years. In these roles he has assembled multidisciplinary teams from multiple academic institutions and laboratories to study the mechanisms and management of several important clinical geriatric syndromes, including falls, syncope, dementia, delirium, and frailty.

He was the principal investigator of an NIA Merit Award to study the physiologic mechanisms of frailty in old age, which led to an NIA-funded clinical trial that examines the effect of tai chi exercises on physical function and health care costs in frail elderly residents of subsidized senior housing facilities. He was also principal investigator of an NIA grant to study cerebrovascular mechanisms of falls.

His recent translational research includes demonstrations that tai chi exercise can improve physical function and balance control in frail older adults, vibrating insoles based on the principal of stochastic resonance can improve gait and balance in older people, and the treatment of hypertension with angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors can improve cerebral blood flow and executive function

Lipsitz is a previous recipient of GSA’s Joseph T. Freeman Award and Donald P. Kent Award.

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The Gerontological Society of America (GSA) is the nation's oldest and largest interdisciplinary organization devoted to research, education, and practice in the field of aging. The principal mission of the Society — and its 5,500+ members — is to advance the study of aging and disseminate information among scientists, decision makers, and the general public. GSA’s structure also includes a policy institute, the National Academy on an Aging Society.