Our Research
Collectively, UCR Aging Initiative researchers consider aging across many levels of analysis (e.g., molecular, neural systems, behavior) and in different models (e.g., human, animal, cell). As we grow, we want to build on our unique strengths by taking an integrative research approach to the study of aging in diverse older populations.
Below, are some examples of our current areas of aging research.
Neuroinflammation
We study neuroinflammation and the specific role of glia to understand its contribution to the normal aging process and the extent to which it is exacerbated in age-related conditions, such as Alzheimer’s Disease and chronic HIV infection.
– Ilana Bennett, Monica Carson, Xiaoping Hu, Marcus Kaul
Neuroimaging Methods
We develop cutting-edge structural and functional neuroimaging methods (e.g., arterial spin labeling, neuromelanin-sensitive MRI, multivariate analysis) to characterize in vivo brain changes in cognitively normal older adults and those with age-related conditions, such as Alzheimer’s Disease and Parkinson’s Disease.
– Ilana Bennett, Halle Dimsdale-Zucker, Jia Guo, Xiaoping Hu, Weiwei Zhang
Molecular and Mechanistic Studies in Aging
We conduct molecular and mechanistic studies in aging that link changes at the molecular and cellular level (e.g., chromosome instability, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, cellular senescence, inflammation) to functional changes at the organismal level in animal models, traditional and novel in vitro models, and organotypic cultures.
– Marcus Kaul, Joshua Morgan, Andre Obenaus, Huimin Zhang
Psychological, Sociological, Environmental, and Genetic Influences
We identify psychological, sociological, environmental, and genetics changes across the lifespan (e.g., early life adversity, motivation) and how they influence the aging process.
– Howard Friedman, Thomas Girke, Esra Kurum, Chioun Lee, Chandra Reynolds, Rachel Wu, Weiwei Zhang
Hearing Loss and Other Modifiable Risk Factors
We study the impact of hearing loss and other modifiable risk factors (e.g., cardiovascular health, smoking) of aging and Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias on the brain and cognition.
– Ilana Bennett, Esra Kurum, Khaleel Razak, Aaron Seitz