UTHealth Houston Hosted the 7th Annual Symposium on Aging Research

The 7th Annual Symposium on Aging Research, hosted by UTHealth Houston Institute on Aging, brought together leading researchers, healthcare professionals, and students to explore groundbreaking advancements in aging research. This year’s symposium highlighted a wide array of topics related to aging and age-related diseases, with an emphasis on promoting innovative solutions that support healthy aging. 

Participants had the opportunity to engage in dynamic discussions, attend presentations, and network with experts in the field. The event also featured keynote speaker Nicolas Musi, MD, Professor at Cedars-Sinai, several engaging sessions, and the announcement of the Harry E. Bovay Jr. Foundation Endowment for Aging Research and Education Pitch Competition winners, who were recognized for their outstanding contributions to the field of aging. 

This year’s keynote speaker was Nicolas Musi, MD, Professor of Medicine and Director of Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Musi’s presentation, titled “Geroscience Guided Clinical Trials,” focused on how geroscience can inform clinical trials aimed at addressing age-related metabolic diseases such as diabetes, obesity, and sarcopenia. A recognized leader in the field, Nicolas Musi, MD, has received numerous accolades, including the Paul B. Beeson Career Development Award and the American Diabetes Association Translational Award. His extensive background in aging research, including his work at the Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, added tremendous value to the symposium. 

One of the sessions was led by Marc Hamilton, PhD, Professor of Biology and Biochemistry, The University of Houston, whose talk titled “A Soleus Muscle Activation Method to Improve Glucose and Lipid Metabolism” encouraged all attendees to participate in a unique seated workout. Hamilton’s research focuses on how activating the soleus muscle—a large muscle in the calf—can improve metabolism, highlighting an exciting new approach to managing glucose and lipid levels, especially in aging populations. This interactive element energized the room and displayed the practical applications of cutting-edge aging research. 

Additionally, Andrew Pickering, PhD, Associate Professor at McGovern Medical School, UTHealth Houston, presented on “Proteostasis in Early Life and Its Impact on the Aging Journey, emphasizing how maintaining protein homeostasis during early life stages can significantly influence the aging process. Pickering’s insights shed light on the molecular mechanisms at play and their potential implications for healthy aging. 

All the speakers and their topics were exceptional, offering a diverse range of perspectives and innovative approaches to aging research. To see more of the speakers and their titles, please click here. 

This year’s symposium concluded with the announcement of the research competition winners: 

•  Danesh Sopariwala, PhD, received $15,000 for his project titled “Mitigation Of Age-Related Decline In Muscle Function By Targeting Estrogen-Related Receptor Gamma”. Sopariwala's research offers promising insights into how muscle function can be preserved as we age, potentially improving the quality of life for older adults. 

• Fadi Musfee, MD, PhD, received $10,000 for his project, “The Early Structural and Cognitive Changes in The Brain Among Hispanic/Latino Individuals in The Cameron County Hispanic Cohort”. Musfee's work highlights the unique cognitive changes seen in specific populations, which could inform early interventions. 

• Pooja Shivshankar, PhD, received $5,000 for her project, “Role of Complement Anaphylatoxins in Helper T-Cell Dysfunction in Inflammaging”. This research focuses on the immune system's role in the aging process, specifically how certain proteins may contribute to age-related inflammation. 

The primary objective of these awards is to provide preliminary funding for aging-related research, which will enable researchers to develop their projects and enhance their prospects for securing larger extramural grants. 

This year's symposium, once again, demonstrated the significant strides being made in aging research, and the UTHealth Houston Institute on Aging is proud to support such impactful work. We look forward to next year’s event, where we will continue to foster research and collaboration in this vital field. 

To view photos from the event, please visit: Symposium Photos.