Engineering in Aging Research: Highlights of the 14th Nano-Bio Symposium

Population projections from U.S. census data indicate that by 2050 the 65-year-old population will double and 20% of the population will be over 60 years-old. With a growing aging population comes concerns about socio-economic burdens, quality of life, age-associated disabilities, multi-morbidities, healthcare costs, and more.

To provide a fresh perspective on aging and aging research, experts from the Johns Hopkins Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, and the Nation-

al Institute of Aging were invited to speak at the INBT’s 14th Nano-Bio Symposium on Engineering in Aging Research. “This year’s topic—the role of engineering in aging research—could not be more critical, more timely, and more exciting. Engineering—and engineers—are vital to our ability to predict, identify, understand, and address the many biological processes and health risks associated with aging,” said T.E. Schlesinger, the Benjamin T. Rome Dean at the Whiting School of Engineering. Topics discussed included the biophysical changes to cells, tissues, and surrounding tissues as people age, the effects of aging on cancer, and a panel discussion on how bioengineers can work with clinicians, biologists, and industry to further advance aging research. New this year was hosting the annual event virtually on the Zoom platform given the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent social distancing regulations. Despite changes to the usual in-person format, the virtual platform made attending the event more accessible to

people outside of Baltimore and Maryland. Attendees were located across the United States, such as California, Oklahoma, New York, and Puerto Rico, and around the globe, including Canada, India, Sri Lanka, and the Philippines. Through interdisciplinary collaborations, engineers, scientists, and physicians, can more fully inform future generations about prevention, treatment, and diagnostic strategies targeting the health and well-being of older adults.

“Engineering—and engineers—are vital to our ability to predict, identify, understand, and address the many biological processes and health risks associated with aging,” said T.E. Schlesinger.

The 15th Nano-Bio Symposium is June 10, 2022. More information can be found on our website.

Keynote Speakers

Luigi Ferrucci

Scientific Director, National Institute on Aging, National Institute of Health

Ashani Weeraratna

Bloomberg Distinguished Professor of Cancer Biology Professor and E.V. McCollum Chair of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

Panel Speakers

Denis Wirtz INBT Core Researcher, Johns Hopkins Vice Provost for Research, and Theophilus Halley Smoot Professor in the Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Department

Mark Anderson Director, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and William Osler Professor of Medicine

Sharon Gerecht INBT Director and Core Researcher and Edward J. Schaefer Professor in the Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Department

T.E. Schlesinger Benjamin T. Rome Dean, Whiting School of Engineering

Jeremy Walston Raymond and Anna Lublin Professor of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine

Jude Phillip

INBT Core Faculty Member and Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering

Peter Abadir

Associate Professor of Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine

Luo Gu

INBT Associate Researcher and Assistant Professor of Materials Science and Engineering

Gabsang Lee

Associate Professor of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine

Jin Han

Postdoctoral Fellow in the Biomedical Engineering Department