Aging is the strongest risk factor for many chronic diseases, including frailty and neurodegenerative conditions. Geroscience research shows that these conditions share common biological mechanisms—often called the “hallmarks of aging”—that may be modified to improve health across the lifespan. Rather than targeting individual diseases, an emerging strategy is to repurpose existing medications that may act on these underlying aging processes.
This study examines the gerotherapeutic potential of GLP-1 receptor agonists, a class of drugs widely prescribed for type 2 diabetes and obesity. GLP-1 agonists, such as semaglutide (Ozempic), also act in the brain and have shown promising neuroprotective effects in both human trials and animal models. However, their broader effects on biological aging, frailty, and brain health—particularly in individuals at elevated risk of neurodegeneration—remain poorly understood.
Using mouse models, this project investigates whether long-term treatment with a GLP-1 agonist can slow biological aging, preserve cognitive and physical function, and reduce markers of neurodegeneration. The study includes both healthy aging mice and a well-established model of Huntington’s disease, representing accelerated aging and neurodegenerative risk. Researchers will assess functional outcomes such as cognition and frailty, alongside blood-based biomarkers of aging—including epigenetic aging, inflammation, and neurofilament light chain—as well as detailed analyses of brain pathology.
By integrating functional, molecular, and neurological measures, this research aims to clarify how GLP-1 agonists influence aging across multiple systems. The findings will inform whether these widely used medications have the potential to extend health span and guide the design of future clinical trials targeting aging and neurodegenerative disease in humans.
The Edwin S.H. Leong Centre for Healthy Aging is pleased to welcome Dr. Julie Robillard as a new Investigator. Dr. Robillard recently appeared in a CTV News Vancouver interview highlighting how social robots are being used to support comfort, engagement, and emotional well-being in healthcare settings.
In the interview, Dr. Robillard discusses her team’s work using social robots with pediatric patients at BC Children’s Hospital. These robots—ranging from interactive plush companions to more expressive humanoid devices—help reduce stress, support procedural comfort, and offer children a safe, playful way to express and regulate emotions.
Supporting Well-Being Across the Life Course
While much of the segment focuses on pediatric care, Dr. Robillard notes (at 2:25 in the interview) that these technologies have tremendous potential for older adults as well.
For older adults, social robots may help [1][2]:
reduce loneliness and social isolation
support cognitive and emotional engagement
offer companionship in long-term care and home settings
assist with prompting daily routines
reduce anxiety during medical procedures
This aligns strongly with ELCHA’s mission to advance technologies that promote independence, connection, and well-being throughout aging.
Dr. Julie Robillard is an Associate Professor in UBC’s Department of Medicine and a national leader in the ethical development and evaluation of socially assistive technologies. Her work explores how emerging technologies—such as social robots, conversational agents, and AI tools—can be designed and deployed responsibly to support people. Read more about Dr. Robillard’s work on our feature news article: https://healthyaging.med.ubc.ca/news/welcome-dr-julie-robillard
[1] Hung, L., Liu, C., Woldum, E. et al. The benefits of and barriers to using a social robot PARO in care settings: a scoping review. BMC Geriatr 19, 232 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-019-1244-6
[2]2 Martin SE, Zhang CC, Tam MT, et al “That’s me at my best”: perspectives of older adults on involvement in technology research Medical Humanities 2024;50:648-656.
Please join us in welcoming investigator Dr. Natasha Lane to the Edwin S.H. Leong Centre for Healthy Aging.
Natasha Lane, MSc MD PhD FRCPC, is an Assistant Professor at the University of British Columbia, Geriatric Medicine and Internal Medicine Physician at Providence Health, and a Research Fellow at ICES. She completed her PhD in Health Services Research at the University of Toronto, as a part of the combined MD/PhD program, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship at ICES. She completed her medical residency training in internal medicine at the University of British Columbia, and subspeciality training in geriatrics at the University of Toronto. She holds a Master’s in Health Studies and Gerontology at the University of Waterloo.
Dr. Lane’s research focuses on older adults with depression, delirium, and dementia, and uses clinical and health administrative data to seek to improve quality of life and explore best practices in care, in both community and hospital settings. Her current projects focus on access to specialist care in long-term care settings, minimization of the use of physical restraints for hospitalized older adults, treatment of insomnia in older adults, and management of the behavioural and psychiatric symptoms of dementia.
When asked about her passion for working with older adults, Dr. Lane spoke to the unique and valued roles that older adults play in our society: “they are knowledge keepers, family leaders, and guardians of tradition. Each person’s life experiences shape them differently, making every older adult’s journey distinct, even when facing common challenges of older age, such as insomnia, falls, or dementia. As a geriatrician and scientist, my goal is to honour older adults’ dignity and personhood by delivering effective, person-centred care—whether at home, in the hospital, or in long-term care.”
The Centre’s holistic approach to aging science sparked Dr. Lane’s interest in joining as an investigator. She looks forward to collaborating with the Centre’s experts in geroscience and translational research, adding that “science is best when it incorporates diverse perspectives from across clinical and research disciplines, and this collaborative spirit is clearly embedded in the Centre for Healthy Aging’s mission and structure.”
Dr. Lane has been recognized for her professional excellence with several awards, including the prestigious Vanier Scholarship, Waterloo Faculty of Health Alumni Achievement Award, and, recently, the Outstanding Graduate Scholar Award from the University of Toronto Department of Medicine. She is an Associate Editor at the Canadian Geriatrics Journal.
We are delighted to welcome Dr. Lane to the Edwin S.H. Leong Centre for Healthy Aging and look forward to her involvement in the Centre!
To read more about Dr. Lane’s work related to healthy aging, view select publications below:
Keenan is a Research Scientist working with the Stringhini Laboratory at UBC’s School of Population and Public Health. Before joining UBC, he completed his BSc in Molecular Biology and MSc in Parasitology at Simon Fraser University. His MSc research employed bioinformatic methods to investigate the molecular basis of dengue virus infections, piquing his interest in using data to address complex health issues and leading him to pursue an MPH degree in Epidemiology. His work with the Stringhini lab examines the biological and health implications of different exposures across the lifespan to better understand which environments, systems, and behaviours support healthier ageing trajectories.
Overview of research: Keenan’s current research utilizes longitudinal cohort data from multiple Nations to address the question of why some individuals maintain functional health later in life, while others age more rapidly.
I am Saba Jalali, a PhD candidate in Human Nutrition at the University of British Columbia, supervised by Dr. Mahsa Jessri. My research focuses on diet quality, chronic disease prevention, and population health, with an emphasis on dietary patterns and adherence to the 2019 Canada’s Food Guide. In parallel, I am developing predictive dietary patterns using machine-learning techniques to inform personalized guidance and population-level risk assessment. I am passionate about translating nutrition research into actionable strategies for healthier aging.
The latest edition of The University of British Columbia Magazine, published by Alumni UBC, shines a spotlight on UBC’s growing strength in healthy aging research. Five of the nine featured stories highlight investigators from the Edwin S.H. Leong Centre for Healthy Aging, whose work is advancing research, training, and knowledge mobilization in this rapidly evolving field. Together, these teams are working to support the health and wellbeing of older adults and to narrow the gap between healthspan and lifespan. Below is a summary of the articles featuring ELCHA investigators and the important contributions they are making to healthy aging at UBC.
Are We Prepared for an Aging World?
An article written by Richard Littlemore, features Dr. Anne Martin-Matthews, a leading sociologist and former Director of the CIHR Institute of Aging. She helped launch the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA), which follows 50,000 Canadians to better understand how biological, social, behavioural, and environmental factors shape aging. Dr. Martin-Matthews notes that increased longevity is a public health success, but one Canada has not fully planned for. She points to gaps in health-care funding and the need to shift from reactive to proactive approaches. Examples from Denmark and Finland show how coordinated home-care systems can support aging well. Yet she is also optimistic. Despite rising numbers of older adults, the proportion of people with dementia is declining worldwide, reflecting improvements in health and nutrition. Many older adults are also remaining active in the workforce by choice, contributing expertise and strengthening the “silver economy.” Creating age-friendly communities, she argues, will benefit people of all ages.
Born to Age
Chris Cannon wrote a feature on Dr. Michael Kobor, professor of medical genetics and Director of the Edwin S.H. Leong Centre for Healthy Aging. In this article, Dr. Kobor explains how advances in epigenetics are transforming how we understand aging. While people are living longer, many spend more years in poor health. Dr. Kobor argues that the goal is not extreme longevity, but narrowing the gap between lifespan and healthspan so people can enjoy their later years. His Lab’s research focuses on “epigenetic clocks,” tools that estimate biological age by measuring molecular changes that accumulate over time. These changes reflect the impact of life experiences, environments, and behaviours—from air pollution to stress to nutrition. This life-course lens shows that many factors shaping healthy aging begin before birth and continue across decades. Dr. Kobor emphasizes that while individuals can influence epigenetic aging, the greatest opportunities lie in policy changes that reduce inequities. By improving the social and environmental conditions that shape aging, he argues, we can help more people thrive across the entire lifespan.
The Last Acceptable Prejudice
Dr. Julia HendersonDr. Lillian Hung
In this article, by Bruce Grierson, UBC researchers Dr. Julia Henderson and Dr. Lillian Hung highlight how deeply ageism shapes public attitudes—and how those attitudes can be changed. Dr. Henderson calls ageism “the last acceptable prejudice,” noting that in theatre and popular culture, older adults are still routinely portrayed as jokes, burdens, or plot devices. She points out the double standard: “If ageist greeting cards were about race or gender, people would be outraged.” Through her Elders CREATE Lab, she works to elevate older creators and challenge stereotypes, including a recent project that reframes the “senior moment” as one of insight rather than decline.
Dr. Hung’s research shows a striking gap between how younger people assume aging feels and how older adults actually experience it. In the Cultural Aging Project, older adults across seven countries reported high life satisfaction, emphasizing resilience, purpose, and connection. “Older people are happy with their life, even with its challenges,” she says. Her UBC nursing course pairs students with older adults, dramatically reducing ageism by prompting genuine conversation. Both researchers argue that changing how we see aging—culturally, socially, and interpersonally—is key to building a more age-inclusive society.
The Social Prescription
Dr. Grace Park, clinical professor in UBC’s Faculty of Medicine and former medical director for Home and Community Care at Fraser Health, has been a key champion of social prescribing in British Columbia. As she explains, social prescribing “connects the health system with community services,” allowing providers to address the non-medical factors—transportation, food security, housing, loneliness—that profoundly shape older adults’ ability to stay independent. Under Dr. Park’s leadership, Fraser Health became a demonstration site in 2019, launching programs at ten community organizations with newly created “community connector” roles. These connectors talk with older adults, uncover unmet needs, and link them to tailored supports. Since then, nearly 3,000 referrals have been made in Fraser Health alone, and more than 100 connector positions are now funded across BC. Dr. Park emphasizes that early, holistic intervention eases strain on families and the healthcare system. Her vision is for social prescribing to become a routine part of practice—addressing medical issues and social needs together to support healthier aging.
The Age-friendly University
UBC Okanagan has taken a leadership role in the age-friendly university movement, joining The global Age-Friendly University Network in 2022. The campus promotes intergenerational learning, opening educational, cultural, and wellness resources to older adults and encouraging collaboration with students. Dr. Jennifer Jakobi, professor in the School of Health and Exercise Sciences and co-lead of the Aging in Place research cluster, emphasizes hands-on, interactive programs. One favorite is a “speed dating” activity where students rotate through tables to engage in guided conversations with older learners, fostering connection and laughter. Dr. Jakobi also oversees cross-generational virtual reality projects, in which older adults design game concepts and students develop them. Seniors test the finished VR games—touring Egypt’s temples or figure skating—while providing feedback. These programs build empathy and understanding, allowing older adults to contribute meaningfully to research and learning, while giving students insight into aging, community, and collaboration.
Please join us in welcoming investigator Dr. Julie Robillard to the Edwin S.H. Leong Centre for Healthy Aging.
Julie Robillard, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Neurology at the University of British Columbia and Scientist in Patient Experience at British Columbia Children’s and Women’s Hospitals. She is a faculty member with Neuroethics Canada, and an affiliated researcher with the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, British Columbia Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Women’s Health Research Institute, and Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute. She completed her PhD in Neuroscience at the University of British Columbia, and a postdoctoral fellowship at the National Core for Neuroethics (now Neuroethics Canada).
As the lead of the Neuroscience, Engagement, and Smart Tech (NEST) lab, Dr. Robillard’s research program focuses on the intersection of patient experience, brain health, and technology. Emerging health care technologies, such as mobile apps, artificially intelligent (AI) chatbots, and social robots, have the potential to both benefit and harm brain health. Technically advanced and increasingly AI-powered products are commercially available and claim to be useful to support brain or mental health, but scientific evaluation of these claims is largely lacking and does not focus on the experiences and outcomes that are important to patients and families. Dr. Robillard engages with patient communities to imagine and develop the next generation of smart tools to support brain health and to ensure these technologies are deployed in an ethical and evidence-based manner. She has a particular interest in exploring and modeling how emotions affect technology engagement.
Dr. Robillard’s research interests span the human lifecourse, with projects focused on both older adults and youth. “In the NEST lab, no two days are ever the same, which is one of the best aspects of my work – one day we might explore social robots for pediatric mental health, and the next how to use social media to advance dementia research. But in the end, many of our studies are connected through shared human experiences around technology: regardless of whether we are 9 or 99, we want technology solutions that connect us, that help us, and that make us feel good.” Her work transcends disciplinary boundaries and is deeply collaborative – she combines her expertise in neuroscience and biomedical ethics with collaborators across a range of disciplines and international settings to explore co-creation processes, knowledge co-production, and patient engagement in technology research and development.
Beyond her own research program, Dr. Robillard has held a range of leadership roles, including co-chair of the Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications Committee of the Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging, member of the International Advisory Council of the Alzheimer’s Association International Society to Advance Alzheimer’s Research and Treatment (ISTAART), and member of the Board of Directors of the Medical Device Development Centre of British Columbia, among other involvements.
We are delighted to welcome Dr. Robillard to the Edwin S.H. Leong Centre for Healthy Aging and look forward to her involvement in the Centre.
To read more about Dr. Robillard’s work related to healthy aging, view select publications below:
Dr. Julie Robillard is an Associate Professor of Neurology at the University of British Columbia and Scientist in Patient Experience at BC Children’s and Women’s Hospital. She is an Investigator with the BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute and a faculty member of Neuroethics Canada and the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health. Dr. Robillard leads the Neuroscience, Engagement and Smart Tech (NEST) lab where she brings her background in neuroscience and biomedical ethics to the evaluation and development of novel social technologies to support brain health across the lifespan. A particular interest of her research is the integration of emotion modeling in a wide range of technologies, from social media to social robots. Together with her team and through international interdisciplinary collaborations, she is exploring co-creation processes, development and applications of social technologies in both older adult and youth populations, and ethical considerations around the implementation of social technologies in brain health care.
Dr. Robillard has held provincial, national and international leadership roles: she chaired the Ethical, Legal, Social Implications cross-cutting program of the Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging, and currently sits on the Board of Directors of the Medical Device Development Centre of British Columbia and on the International Advisory Committee of the leading professional association for dementia researchers (ISTAART), among others. Her work has been featured on national an international media, including on CBC Marketplace, and CBS and CTV News.
Keywords: Brain health, mental health, patient experience, social technology, assistive technology, social media, social robotics
As populations around the world grow older, societies are asking an important question: What does it mean to age well? To help answer this, ELCHA Investigator Dr. Lillian Hung, lead of the UBC IDEA Lab, and PhD Student Peter Zhao, participated in the inaugural study of the Intercontinental Alliance for Integrated Care (IAIC) — a global partnership led by the Singapore University of Social Sciences that includes Canada, Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR, Singapore, and the United Kingdom.
The goal of this collaborative study was simple but ambitious: to understand how older adults in different countries experience aging and what helps them thrive. Each region conducted its own study, gathering voices, stories, and survey data from adults aged 55 to 84. Together, the results paint a rich and often surprising picture of life in later years.
Why This Study Matters
The world is aging faster than ever before. For the first time in history, there are more older adults (60+) than children under five. Yet aging is not only a biological process — it is shaped by relationships, culture, financial stability, health systems, and community belonging. By bringing together regions with different histories, policy environments, and cultural traditions, this study helps us better understand both theshared human experience of agingand the distinct challenges that arise in different contexts.
Findings from Across Countries
Across all five regions, older adults described aging as more than simply managing health. They emphasized:
Autonomy — staying independent and making their own choices
Connection — maintaining meaningful relationships
Purpose — staying engaged, contributing, and feeling useful
Stability — having secure finances, good health care, and supportive environments
Many also demonstrated remarkable resilience. Even in the face of illness, mobility loss, or loneliness, older adults found ways to adapt — through social clubs, physical activity, spiritual practice, or simply reframing challenges with acceptance and optimism.
Despite cultural differences, Canada shared much in common with the other participating regions. Older adults everywhere expressed a desire to stay engaged and useful, maintain autonomy, feel valued and respected, and to be able to access reliable, affordable supports. However, the study also revealed unique pressures. For example, in Hong Kong and Singapore, housing and space constraints influence aging experiences. In Mainland China, changing family structures challenge traditional caregiving expectations. In the UK, strained health and social care systems shape everyday life for older adults. These contrasts reveal how policies, environments, and cultural expectations shape people’s ability to age well.
Findings from within Canada
In Canada, older adults strongly valued family and close relationships, friendships and social connections, physical and mental health, and financial stability. Many reported taking proactive steps to maintain health — staying active, learning new skills, and maintaining social ties. Community centres, neighbourhood groups, and diverse cultural networks played an important role in staying connected.
Building on the findings, several opportunities emerge to support older adults in Canada. Efforts to boost financial and social supports would be beneficial, such as income supplements, rental assistance, and accessible transport, particularly for newcomers, those living alone, and rural residents. Culturally inclusive programs that respect language, traditions, and diversity—co-designed with immigrant and Indigenous communities—could foster trust and engagement. Expanding health, wellness, and lifelong learning opportunities through community, library, and online programs would help maintain independence, resilience, and purpose, while intergenerational initiatives would allow older adults to share their skills and knowledge. Finally, technology that is co-created with older adults could strengthen connection, reduce isolation, and support autonomy in everyday life.
Opportunities for Action
The takeaway is clear: aging well is a shared responsibility. Families, communities, governments, and care systems all play a part in creating environments where older adults can thrive.
For Canada, the findings reinforce the need to:
Protect financial and housing security to support independence and reduce stress.
Embed cultural and linguistic inclusion in services for immigrant and Indigenous older adults.
Invest in community-based, preventive programs that promote physical, cognitive, and social well-being.
Recognize older adults as partners by involving them as co-designers, leaders, and facilitators.
The Edwin S.H. Leong Centre for Healthy Aging is proud to be one of the founding partners of the IAIC and we look forward to continuing to work with the participating countries and institutions to deepen global understanding and support innovation in integrated care. Aging is universal — and when we learn from each other, we can build societies where everyone has the opportunity not only to live longer, but to live well.
Dr. Lane is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Geriatric Medicine at the University of British Columbia and the University of Toronto Institute for Health Policy, Management and Evaluation (status only), as well as an Investigator at the Edwin S.H. Leong Centre for Healthy Aging and a Research Fellow at ICES in Toronto. She works as an Internist and Geriatrician at Providence Health Care.
Dr. Lane completed her PhD in Health Services Research, with a specialization in Health Outcomes and Evaluation as part of the University of Toronto’s combined MD/PhD Program. She trained in Internal Medicine at the University of British Columbia and in Geriatric Medicine at the University of Toronto, and completed her postdoctoral fellowship at ICES. She has a Master’s in Health Studies and Gerontology from the University of Waterloo and is an Associate Editor at the Canadian Geriatrics Journal.
Her research uses knowledge synthesis, clinical and health administrative data to improve medication prescribing and hospital and community-based care for older adults. Current projects are focused on access to specialist care in long-term care settings, minimization of physical restraint use among hospitalized older adults and management of behavioural and psychiatric symptoms of dementia.
Key words: geriatrics, pharmacoepidemiology, restraints, long-term care, administrative data, behavioural and psychiatric symptoms, dementia
