8/6/09 - Mental health, happiness improve with age, studies say

Aging has its upsides in terms of mental health and happiness, according to researchers speaking at the American Psychological Association meeting here. Two California researchers — in separate presentions — say that mental health improves with age; most people get happier as they get older, and those who are older have more control over their… Read more 8/6/09 - Mental health, happiness improve with age, studies say

7/8/09- Sisters Face Death with Dignity and Reverence

Laura L. Carstensen, the director of the Center on Longevity at Stanford University, says the convent setting calms the tendency for public policy discussion about end-of-life treatment “to devolve into a debate about euthanasia or rationing health care based on age.” Read full story in The New York Times

Dario Riccardo Valenzano

Genetics Project: “Identifying genes regulating longevity” Primary Mentor: Anne Brunet, PhD, Genetics Secondary Mentor: Russ Fernald, PhD, Biological Science Dario R. Valenzano received his BSc and PhD in Neuroscience from Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa, Italy. During his graduate work, Dr. Valenzano developed a new model system for the study of aging of the shortlived African… Read more Dario Riccardo Valenzano

Christina Gathmann-Maneval

Data Analysis and Demographic Research Project: “Data analysis and demographic research (Russia) – the declines in life expectancy – are socialism and the transition to capitalism bad for your health?” Primary Mentor: Jay Bhattacharya, MD, PhD, School of Medicine Secondary Mentor: John Pencavel, Levin Professor of Economics, Department of Economics Christina Gathmann is an economist… Read more Christina Gathmann-Maneval

Tammy English

Psychology Project: “Impact of emotion and cognition on health-related decisions in everyday life” Primary Mentor: Laura Carstensen, PhD, Fairleigh S. Dickinson Jr. Professor in Public Policy, Professor of Psychology; Director, Stanford Center on Longevity Tammy English received her PhD in Psychology from the University of California, Berkeley in 2008. Her research is focused on emotion… Read more Tammy English

Alesha Bernedette Castillo

Mechanical Engineering/ Orthopaedic Surgery Project: “Bone loss with aging with emphasis on mechanics and biology of bone turnover” Primary Mentor: Christopher R. Jacobs, PhD, Associate Professor (Research) of Mechanical Engineering and of Orthopaedic Surgery and, by courtesy, of Bioengineering Secondary Mentor: Sanjiv Sam Gambhir, MD, PhD, Professor of Radiology and, by courtesy, of Bioengineering Alesha… Read more Alesha Bernedette Castillo

Marina Shkreli

Medicine Project: “Understanding cellular renewal and aging in kidney epithelium” Primary Mentor: Steve Artandi, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Medicine (Hematology) Secondary Mentor: Glenn Chertow, MD, Professor of Medicine (Nephrology) After completing PhD training in the National Institute of Agricultural Research in France, Marina Shkreli joined the Stanford School of Medicine as a postdoctoral scholar… Read more Marina Shkreli

Adolfo Sanchez-Blanco

Developmental Biology Project: “A molecular odometer for aging” Primary Mentor: Stuart Kim, PhD, Professor of Developmental Biology and of Genetics and, by courtesy, of Chemical and Systems Biology Secondary Mentor: Art Owen, Professor of Statistics Adolfo Sanchez-Blanco obtained a BS and MS in Biology and Ecology, respectively, from the University of Salamanca in Spain. He… Read more Adolfo Sanchez-Blanco

David Furman

Microbiology and Immunology Project: “High throughput multiparameter analysis of human immune responses to influenza vaccination” Primary Mentor: Mark Davis, Burt and Marion Avery Family Professor of Microbiology and Immunology David Furman received his PhD in Human Biochemistry from the University of Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 2008. His research is focused in better understanding the aging… Read more David Furman

Alicia Chang

Medicine and Health Research and Policy Project: “Addressing the challenge of global population aging: the effect of age on immune response to TB infection” Primary Mentor: Julie Parsonnet, MD, George DeForest Barnett Professor in Medicine and Professor of Health Research and Policy (Epidemiology) Secondary Mentor: Paul Utz, MD, Associate Professor, Medicine (Immunology & Rheumatology) Alicia… Read more Alicia Chang