Changhan David Lee, a research assistant professor at the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, won the Ellison Medical Foundation’s New Scholar in Aging Award.
“The award will foster new studies to explore unchartered areas of aging research, and also increases the visibility of my research done as a member of the Davis School of Gerontology,” said Lee. “I am truly honored to receive it.”
One of the most prestigious accolades in the field, the New Scholar in Aging Award pays up to $100,000 per year for four years to help newly independent researchers of exceptional promise study the biology of aging and aging-related diseases.
Lee joins fellow assistant professor Sean Curran as a rising scientist on the USC Leonard Davis School faculty whose extraordinary potential was recognized by the New Scholar in Aging Award. In fact, Lee sees this as a testament to the USC Leonard Davis School and its stature as the world’s oldest and largest school of gerontology.
“Our School has long been a pioneer of aging research and I believe this is another occasion where our leading role has been appreciated,” Lee said. “I hope my association with the Ellison Medical Foundation will contribute to the School’s continuum of innovation and discoveries.”
Gerontology undergrads Brandon Glousman and Jung-Gi Min did not rest on their laurels after earning scholarships from the Summer Undergraduate Research Associates Program and the USC Provost’s Undergraduate Research Fellowship. Instead, they went on to also win first prize in the life sciences division of USC’s 15th Annual Undergraduate Symposium for Scholarly and Creative Work.
“I’m so proud of them for so many reasons, including their genuine interest in research, their excellent work ethic and their great teamwork,” said their faculty sponsor, Changhan David Lee, of the USC Leonard Davis School. “Their almost palpable excitement of discovery is a great source of enthusiasm for the lab, and they’re also fun, great guys to have around.”
Glousman and Min’s study, titled, “Targeting Cancer Metabolism: The Effects of a Novel Mitochondrial-Derived Peptide on Breast Cancer Progression” showed the possibility of inhibiting the proliferation of cancer by targeting metabolism, as well as the potential role of the mitochondria as a significant communicator in the progression of cancer.
“The experiment took a lot of hard work and long hours, but it all paid off. I am so grateful to have joined such a supportive lab and have been under the guidance of our amazing mentor, Dr. Lee,” Glousman said. “He has provided us with a unique opportunity to dive deeply into research to the extent expected of PhD candidates.”
“I am really honored that we won in the midst of such amazing projects from all over the university,” Min said. “Dr. Lee demands excellence and does not cut us any slack for being ‘undergraduate researchers’ and I am so proud to have represented the School of Gerontology and our lab as centers of undergraduate research.”
The duo plans on expanding their research to see if the mitochondrial-derived peptide, named MOTS-c, has similar effects on the progression of prostate cancer as well.
“Besides being remarkable rising scientists and scholars, Brandon and Jung-Gi exemplify the highest ideals of our School and our field itself,” said Pinchas Cohen, dean of the USC Leonard Davis School. “We fully expect these exceptional young men to change the face of gerontology and look forward to what they accomplish next.”
USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology doctoral student Jeff Laguna (Photo/Trevor Nelson)
While there are many programs to manage pain, many seriously ill patients find that their pain is frequently unrecognized and untreated. While palliative care efforts are documented as an effective intervention, they function best when the caregiver or clinician is attuned as possible to the patient’s varying state. Obviously, this is a challenge for all involved.
“We decided to look at the use of a smartphone to monitor the pain and symptoms of seriously ill patients,” said Jeff Laguna, a USC Leonard Davis School doctoral candidate who worked closely with his advisor, USC Leonard Davis assistant professor Susan Enguídanos. “We wanted to empower patients, caregivers and the palliative care team with the latest technology to give a voice to their needs and how they can be met.”
Utilizing an interdisciplinary approach that involved the USC Leonard Davis School, the USC Viterbi School of Engineering, the USC School of Social Work and HealthCare Partners, Laguna and his team remotely monitored at-risk patients using the smartphone app, ManageMyPain.
The app allowed patients to describe pain characteristics, including intensity, location, character, timing and factors that either aggravated or alleviated the pain. Participants took 5-10 minutes to input their pain on a daily basis, and this data was transmitted to the research team.
“We found several potential barriers, including the ability of participants to use the touch screen successfully, read the font and navigate the phone and app in general,” Laguna said. “These barriers can be frustrating, but identifying them helps us make the app more user-friendly and successful for all potential users.”
By putting this powerful tool literally in the hands of patients, caregivers and the palliative care team, Laguna hopes that other researchers will follow his lead and design more technology for older adults and for all their changing needs. While pain management and palliative care places the focus on end-of-life, the opportunities are there to enhance the quality of life for older adults in every season and state of health.
“Digital aging has the potential to help everyone: older adults who can benefit from increased services and solutions as well as those who care for them and people who are looking to the future and their own aging,” Laguna said. “We found that older adults have an interest in learning new technology, especially if it’s intended to help their care, but there aren’t enough products for them yet. We’re calling for hardware and software innovations so we can best serve this population with this technology, and we’re looking to a wide variety of USC experts to make this dream come true.”
U.S. retirees gain lessons (and financial benefits) by following the Japanese example Continue Reading Edward Schneider interviewed by MarketWatch/The Wall Street Journal
Long recognized as an enormously effective and creative leader both in the classroom and in the lab, John Walsh, an associate professor of gerontology at the USC Leonard Davis School specializing in neuroscience, saw his exceptional work recognized with two major awards.
Earlier this year, he won one of only two Associates Awards for Excellence in Teaching given out annually at USC. In her remarks on his selection, provost Beth Garrett highlighted the flair for innovation that helped make Walsh a standout throughout his twenty-plus years as a Trojan.
“He capitalized on the multimedia revolution, realizing that it offered an opportunity to further his connection to students and to develop cutting-edge instruction tools and methods. Professor Walsh’s students esteem him for his enthusiasm, kindness, approachability and easygoing style, and his stellar reputation attracts students not only to his classes, but also to his movement disorders laboratory,” she said.
Receiving this high-profile award helped pave the way for Walsh to earn another, in fact, when he won a nearly $200,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to pioneer the use of multimedia, social media and gaming to teach neuroscience via mobile devices.
“‘Digital aging’ is an important focus for the USC Leonard Davis School, but we have to remember that it’s not just digital aging—it’s digital everything. Current and future generations will expect easy and reliable access to digital information and resources on retirement, housing, disease and cultural support,” Walsh said. “I have always been dedicated to using the latest technology and innovative approaches to further both my science and my students’ understanding, and I’m proud to help the Davis School advance its mission of being the world’s best source of information on aging—digital and otherwise.”
“John Walsh manages to be that extremely rare combination: a world-class scientist as well as a world-class teacher. We are so proud to see his creativity and vision recognized with these awards,” said Pinchas Cohen, dean of the USC Leonard Davis School. “His passion for science and students inspires us all. It is amazing to realize the impact he has had on the field, both through his own work and that of the many gifted alums who spent time in his lab or his classes.”
As grateful as he is for the recognition as both a scientist and a teacher, Walsh says that success in one area helps inspire him in the other.
“Research in education is a means for keeping teaching fresh and exciting, and it means so much to me to know that my methods are not only effective but also enjoyable for students,” Walsh said. “Teaching, like science, is an ever-changing art form, and I feel rewarded every day when I see the impact I can have on my students—and that they can have on me.”
As befitting its status as the world’s oldest and largest school of gerontology, the USC Leonard Davis School was well represented at the 20th International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics (IAGG) World Congress, held from June 23-28 in Seoul, South Korea.
Highlighting the Congress’s theme of “Digital @geing: A New Horizon for Health Care and Active Ageing,” USC Leonard Davis dean Pinchas Cohen and associate dean Maria Henke were on hand to discuss the School’s own proposed Digital Aging Center.
“We are deeply honored to join this global conversation on how to apply cutting-edge technology to the study of aging and to the service of the aged,” Cohen said. “Aging is the most universal of human experiences and it is our great pleasure to discuss the future of this exciting field with our international colleagues.”
Established in Belgium in 1950, the IAGG boasts organizations in 64 countries, a worldwide membership of nearly 50,000 and a consultant position to the United Nations. Its mission is to improve the global quality of life for older adults by serving as a network dedicated to sharing research results on health, welfare and rights.
“The ageing society is now a global challenge faced by not only advanced countries, but by the entire world,” said Heung Bong Cha, president-elect of IAGG in his invitation to attendees. “With the full support of the Korean government, I am confident that the Congress will be a successful global academic festivity of exchanging relevant research findings from all five continents and six oceanic regions of the world.”
USC Leonard Davis School dean Pinchas Cohen was among many of USC’s scientific leaders who convened in Seoul, South Korea, on May 23 for the 2013 USC Global Conference.
Cohen and fellow USC Leonard Davis School faculty members Mara Mather and Valter Longo participated in the panel discussion entitled “The Longevity Challenge: Strategies for Successful Aging,” which can be heard in its entirety below.
Once again, the USC Leonard Davis School graduated its largest class. This year’s graduates shared a special honor: earning a heartfelt send-off from Pinchas Cohen in his first commencement as dean.
“As you well know, the USC Leonard Davis School is continuing to innovate and explore what it means to be on the cutting edge of aging research,” Cohen said in his address. “This is a never-ending mission that I know each of you will pursue in your own way. 2013 graduates of the USC Leonard Davis School, I salute you and wish you the best of luck in pursuing your goals.”
Bringing together faculty, staff and students, the graduation program also included award presentations from Tuck Finch and Sean Curran. Finch’s recognition of doctoral graduate Sebastian Brandhorst with the Heinz Osterburg prize moved many to tears when Brandhorst made a surprising announcement.
“I have asked that the financial aspect of the Osterburg prize be donated to Liza Cherney, a USC Leonard Davis alumna who was injured in the Boston Marathon bombing,” Brandhorst said, earning the day’s most heartfelt cheers.
Another highlight came when outgoing Student Gerontology Association president Cameron Chalfant delivered his speech.
“I am so honored to address all of you amazing graduates and I am proud to say that we’re leaving school ready for the next chapter,” Chalfant said. “I want to thank the faculty, staff and administration of the USC Leonard Davis School. They dedicate their lives to us students and they each deserve a round of applause and a handshake.”
After honoring the accomplishments of the faculty, including giving Susan Enguídanos the Dean’s Outstanding Faculty Award, Cohen turned the ceremony over to vice dean Kelvin J. A. Davies, who recognized the graduates, whose emotions—a bittersweet but triumphant celebration—mirrored those of their friends, family and supporters, who loudly cheered them on.
Before closing the commencement for a luncheon celebration, Cohen reminded graduates that they were Trojans, now and forever.
“As champions of seniors and science, I urge each of you to remain closely in touch with the School,” Cohen said. “After all, we are united by a shared dream—the dream of a better and more vibrant aging experience for all. Congratulations and Fight On!”
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Heinz Osterburg Prize – Sebastian Brandhorst
engAGING Awards – Ashley Phillips, Bill Zhou, Yu-Ching Huang, Cameron Chalfant, Emily Loynachan, Erik Doan, Sahar Edalati, Barbara Howard
Order of Troy – Cameron Chalfant, Sahar Edalati, Sonia Hua, Ani Kolangian, Tom Maxim, Carin Wong, Bill Zhou
Renaissance Scholar – Craig Hung, Tom Maxim
Discovery Scholar Prize Finalists – Sahar Edalati, Craig Hung, Tom Maxim, Bill Zhou
Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Aging – Cameron Chalfant, Jennifer Chang, Sahar Edalati, Kristina Field, Virginia Hazarian, Sonia Hua, Ani Kolangian, Tom Maxim, Ashley Phillips, Kim Vu, Carin Wong, Bill Zhou
Graduate Certificate in Gerontology – Susan Fair Clark, Gianna Henke, Brett Riley, Catherine Trifilo
Master of Long Term Care Administration – Clifford Tomb
Master of Arts in Gerontology – Tahmina Aziz, Shawna Conlan, Justin Eastwood, Liora Fink, Brian Gauthier, Barbara Howard, Yu-Ching Huang, Johanna Hurlock, Aarti Kumari, Katherine Landsman, Sheryl Lapidus, Theresa Mac Gregor, Suzanne Maisner, Carrie Mullin, Margaret Rosenau, Patricia Sacchetti, Veronica Sanchez Perez, Angela Whitlock, Kristen Wilhelm, Logan Wimer, Julia Wysong
Master of Aging Services Management – Nadia Akaweih, Monica Anderson, Vanessa Bruns, Erik Doan, Jascenna Haislet, Dong Liang, Fleur Martino, Kathleen Olsovsky, Richard Rosenberg, Wu Yang
Master of Science in Gerontology – Pavitra Anand, Amy Bassoff, Alyssa Bobman, Ernestine Campbell, Christine Chow, Sara Damiano, Winnie Dang, Maria De La Rosa, Lyndsay De Matteo, Stephen Gaucin, Elena Gonzalez, Lauren Iwata, En-Shu Kuo, Judith Lee, Emily Loynachan, Kaitlin Masatsugu, Minda Miyamoto, Cara Murayama, Michelle Pastrano, Kevin Proff, Jody Santos, Rachel Violette, Allyson Young
Doctor of Philosophy in Gerontology – Shieva Davarian, Carrie Donoho
Recognition of Affiliated Doctorate – Sebastian Brandhorst, Jennifer Geren
Changhan David Lee, a research assistant professor at the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, won the Ellison Medical Foundation’s New Scholar in Aging Award.
As befitting its status as the world’s oldest and largest school of gerontology, the USC Leonard Davis School was well represented at the 20th International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics (IAGG) World Congress, held from June 23-28 in Seoul, South Korea.
USC Leonard Davis School dean Pinchas Cohen was among many of USC’s scientific leaders who convened in Seoul, South Korea, on May 23 for the 2013 USC Global Conference.
Once again, the USC Leonard Davis School graduated its largest class. This year’s graduates shared a special honor: earning a heartfelt send-off from Pinchas Cohen in his first commencement as dean.
