Q&As

Nature Aging speaks with Steve Horvath, biogerontologist, biostatistician and developer of epigenetic clocks, about the Mammalian Methylation Consortium, the construction of a pan-mammalian clock, and epigenetic age measurements for translational and clinical studies. Horvath reflects on his career and the fortunate circumstance that started his exploration of methylation changes in aging.

Nature Aging speaks with Paula Rochon, geriatrician and advocate for women’s healthy aging, about the specific health needs of older women and gendered ageism in health and social structures. Rochon reflects on her motivations and career, and shares her plans as the founding director of the Women’s Age Lab to help to improve health and social care to positively impact the health and well-being of older women.

The editors speak to Louise Aronson, geriatrician and Pulitzer Prize finalist, about how old age is perceived and defined, and the influence of social determinants on health. Aronson reflects on her experiences caring and advocating for older adults, and outlines some of the challenges to be addressed during the UN Decade of Healthy Aging.

The NIA (part of the NIH) is one of the leading funders of aging and age-related disease research worldwide. Last fall, Nature Aging spoke to Luigi Ferrucci, its Scientific Director since 2011, to get his thoughts on the field and learn about the institute’s agenda and future plans for intramural and extramural aging research.