Sep 11, 2024
Alan Lowe interviews Dr. Aditi Gurkar, assistant professor at
the University of Pittsburgh’s Aging Institute. Dr. Gurkar
discusses her transition from medical doctor to becoming a leading
researcher in aging, driven by her grandfather’s cancer diagnosis.
She explains the critical difference between chronological and
biological age, highlighting how aging impacts both physical and
functional health. Dr. Gurkar also emphasizes the importance of
early healthy habits, the value of in-person social connections,
and the potential for delaying biological aging through targeted
interventions while advocating for societal changes to support
longer, healthier lives.
Guest Bio
Dr. Aditi Gurkar is an assistant professor at the University
of Pittsburgh’s Aging Institute and a leading researcher in the
field of aging. Originally from Mumbai, India, Dr. Gurkar initially
aspired to become a medical doctor but shifted her focus to
scientific research after a transformative experience in genetic
counseling. Inspired by her grandfather's battle with cancer, she
pursued a PhD in cancer biology before realizing that aging is the
primary risk factor for many diseases. Her work emphasizes the
importance of early healthy habits and social connections in
delaying biological aging, with a focus on developing interventions
to promote longer, healthier lives.
Show Notes
- (1:52) What led Aditi to decide to study science
- (5:33) Aditi’s advice to young women thinking about a career in STEM
- (6:43) Why Aditi decided to focus on aging
- (8:54) Chronological vs. biological aging
- (10:12) Why our bodies age
- (10:47) What happens to our bodies as we age
- (13:11) Tips for aging well and enjoying being older
- (15:38) Can the aging process be reversed?
Links Referenced
- Gurkar Lab: http://agresearchlab.com/
- Twitter: https://x.com/healthspan_aug