Title: Living with dementia: Exploring the intersections of culture, race, and dementia, stigma
Summary: Karen Wong, a PhD trainee in the ELCHA, published an article on dementia with Mr. Granville Johnson, a dementia advocate with lived experience, and Dr. Deborah O’Connor. This publication discusses the intricate interplay between culture, race, and the pervasive stigma and discrimination experienced by individuals living with dementia, particularly within the Chinese Canadian community. Despite existing literature highlighting the stigma’s impact on the dementia journey, attention has been given to how social factors shape these experiences. Employing a qualitative exploratory approach, the researchers conducted personal interviews with Chinese Canadians diagnosed with dementia. Through these conversations, they aimed to unravel the complex dynamics underlying the intersection of culture, race, and dementia stigma in the participants’ lives. Their findings reveal a narrative deeply woven with themes of stigma and discrimination. Participants demonstrated a sense of vulnerability and invisibility stemming from their diagnosis, echoing previous research findings, and recounted instances where their cultural heritage and racial identity intersected with their dementia journey, intensifying experiences of stigma and discrimination. These acts of marginalization, whether imposed from external social factors or internalized within the individual, engendered feelings of insecurity and a pervasive lack of safety. In shedding light on these nuanced experiences, the study underscores the heightened vulnerability faced by individuals living with dementia, particularly within marginalized communities.
Stephen is a Canadian Institutes of Health Research postdoctoral fellow in the Integrative Clinical Cardiopulmonary Physiology Laboratory at the University of British Columbia – Okanagan Campus. He previously completed his Ph.D. in Medical Science and M.Sc. in Exercise Science at the University of Toronto and Mount Sinai Hospital. Stephen is an exercise physiologist with expertise in integrative cardiopulmonary physiology. His research focuses on cardiopulmonary hemodynamics, their relationship to exercise capacity and tolerance, and the modifying influences of sex, normal ageing, and chronic disease. Currently, Stephen is leading two main projects. The first examines how breathing impacts heart function at rest and during exercise, whether interactions work differently in women compared to men, and how healthy ageing influences those interactions. The second is investigating how impaired heart function impacts lung function and contributes to the sensation of breathlessness during exercise in adults living with heart failure, and testing whether using lower-body negative pressure during exercise can reduce breathlessness. Current work aims to elucidate mechanisms that regulate left atrial, pulmonary vascular, and right ventricular function, and understand how heart failure impacts lung function and contributes to dyspnea on exertion.
Dr. Theresa Pauly is Assistant Professor in the Department of Gerontology at Simon Fraser University and Canada Research Chair in Social Relationships, Health, and Aging. Dr. Pauly’s research revolves around biopsychosocial contexts of health. Employing an interdisciplinary framework, she explores the bio-behavioural pathways linking social relationships to health outcomes throughout adulthood and old age. A distinguishing aspect of her research lies in the utilization of ambulatory assessment techniques, which capture real-time biopsychosocial data as older adults navigate their daily routines. This innovative methodology integrates self-reported psychosocial factors (e.g., mood) with objectively monitored health behaviours (e.g., physical activity) and biomarkers (e.g., cortisol levels), transcending disciplinary boundaries between social and clinical research. Her current work is funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, and the New Frontiers in Research Fund. The ultimate goal of Dr. Pauly’s research is to inform the development of targeted interventions aimed at promoting resilience in older adults.
The Edwin S.H. Leong Centre for Healthy Aging is pleased to announce the winners of the 2023/2024 Summer Student Research Award. The award supports the salary of highly qualified undergraduate students while they complete a research project relevant to the field of healthy aging this summer under the supervision of a faculty member in the Edwin S.H. Leong Centre for Healthy Aging. See the 4 winners below:
Tovan Lew, 4th year student in Biomedical Sciences, Trent University
Supervisor: Dr. Helene Cote, Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, UBC
Project Summary: Chronic pain negatively impacts overall aging phenotype and trajectory. In women living with HIV, chronic pain is extremely prevalent yet inequitably treated due to HIV-associated stigma and women-specific barriers to care. As a response to community concerns, Tovan’s project aims to understand the prevalence and experiences of chronic widespread pain in women and link them to socio-structural life experiences and biological aging-associated metrics, including markers of inflammation, immune function, and overall aging phenotype. Tovan will be employing data from The British Columbia CARMA-CHIWOS Collaboration (BCC3) Study – a community-based cohort that has enrolled 600 women to date. We hope that our findings will help shine light on this “invisible disability” and positively inform healthcare for marginalized women in British Columbia and globally.
Asha Octoman, 3rd year student in Microbiology & Immunology, UBC
Supervisor: Dr. Brett Finlay, Departments of Microbiology & Immunology and Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, UBC
Project Summary: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive age-related neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor-related symptoms. Results from a recent study led by researchers at UBC demonstrated a link between the gut microbiome and several features of PD (constipation and key serum metabolites) in a clinical cohort of patients living in Vancouver. The overarching goal of Asha’s project will be to compare data from a Vancouver PD cohort with publicly available data from a large and well-validated American metagenomic study. Her research will help identify location-independent elements of the PD microbiome, leading to a better understanding of the potential role of the gut microbiome in disease onset and progression.
Wendy Tsai, 3rd year student in the MD Undergraduate Program, UBC
Supervisor: Dr. Helen Tremlett, Division of Neurology, UBC
Project Summary: The intersection of multiple sclerosis (MS) and aging presents unique challenges as it combines age-related issues with the complexities of a chronic disease. Frailty, defined as a condition of reduced reserve and function due to age-associated decline, has been associated with modifiable factors, such as psychological health and lifestyle. Psychological health is often impacted in MS and influences overall health and community engagement. Lifestyle factors influence the aging process and can be important in managing MS. However, the association between frailty and these factors in MS remains unclear. In the MS population enrolled in the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA), Wendy will quantify the disparity in frailty based on self-report and blood-based marker-derived indices, relative to normative data in the CLSA. She will also evaluate how these indices relate to psychological health and lifestyle factors in the MS population and explore whether these relationships differ by sex, socioeconomic status, or education.
James Wu, 2nd year student in Cellular, Anatomical & Physiological Sciences, UBC
Supervisor: Dr. Stefan Taubert, Department of Medical Genetics, UBC
Project Summary: The geroscience concept states that age-related diseases can be delayed, prevented, or ameliorated by preventing cellular aging. Mapping the cellular pathways that underpin aging and cell stress can thus help develop a better understanding of disease development. In this project, James will be using the model organism C. elegans to study Nuclear Hormone Receptor NHR-49, an important lifespan and stress response regulator. James’ objective is to examine NHR-49 and its interactions with HMG-11, a transcription factor whose human ortholog HMGA2 has been implicated in age-related diseases such as cancer, to delineate the mechanisms through which NHR-49 supports healthy aging.
Joke Duyck is a full professor in the Department of Oral Health Sciences at KU Leuven. She holds a degree in dentistry (1995) and Prosthetic Dentistry (2000) and a PhD in medical sciences (2000) from KU Leuven in collaboration with the University of Oslo. She is responsible for teaching gerodontology and removable prosthetic dentistry within KU Leuven. Her research focuses on gerodontology and prosthetic dentistry, and in particular on the integration of oral health care in care planning and preventive oral health policies for frail older persons. She is a member of the board of directors of the Flemish Institute of Oral Health and responsible for the preventive oral health care for frail older persons in Flanders.
In a recent article by the UBC Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy (OSOT), Dr. Julia Henderson, an Assistant Professor and co-chair of Community Engagement for the Edwin S.H. Leong Centre for Healthy Aging, is highlighted for her innovative initiatives to challenge ageism through the power of art and allyship. Drawing on her background as an occupational therapist and a professional actor, Henderson’s interdisciplinary approach aims to redefine notions of aging, promote activism, and foster intergenerational understanding.
Dr. Henderson’s research revolves around four interconnected streams of inquiry, each addressing different facets of ageism and its societal impact.
Firstly, she tackles the issue of inclusion for older adult professionals in the live performing arts. Henderson highlights the stark reality of diminishing opportunities for older professionals in this industry, limiting their creative expression and economic sustainability. Through her work, she seeks to create avenues for older adults to continue thriving in their artistic careers while challenging age-related stereotypes.
Secondly, Henderson harnesses the power of social media, particularly TikTok, to counteract ageism. Collaborating with Western Gold Theatre, she initiated the “Having a Senior Moment” TikTok project, reclaiming the term while showcasing the vibrant lives of older adults. By sharing meaningful moments and talents, this initiative aims to challenge stereotypes and celebrate the richness of life at any age.
In another vein, Dr. Henderson delves into intergenerational climate action. Recognizing the potential for ageism to hinder collaboration in addressing climate change, she employs arts-based approaches to facilitate dialogue between youth and older adults. Through collaborative artwork, Dr. Henderson aims to bridge generational divides and cultivate a shared commitment to environmental stewardship.
Lastly, Dr. Henderson explores the emotional complexities of transitioning to a care home. Acknowledging the significance of possessions in shaping identity and memory, she works with older adults to preserve the meaning of cherished items through artistic expression. By curating these possessions into artistic products and sharing their stories through performative events, Dr. Henderson facilitates a meaningful transition while honouring the memories attached to these belongings.
Dr. Julia Henderson‘s innovative research exemplifies the transformative potential of art in combating ageism and promoting social change. Through her interdisciplinary approach, she seeks to create a more inclusive and compassionate society, where individuals of all ages are valued and empowered to lead fulfilling lives.
You can follow the development of Dr. Henderson’s research projects through the OSOT website and the following social media channels:
Dr. Mahmoud Pouladi is an Associate Professor of Medical Genetics at the University of British Columbia (UBC) and an Investigator at the BC Children’s Research Institute (BCCHRI). Dr. Pouladi received his B.Sc. (2001) and M.Sc. (2004) from McMaster University and completed his Ph.D. at the University of British Columbia (2010). In 2012, Dr. Pouladi joined the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (Singapore) and was later promoted to Senior Principal Investigator. His work and research in the field of neuroscience and stem cell research earned him recognition in the Interstellar Initiative, a joint program between the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development and the New York Academy of Sciences, which recognizes “the world’s most promising Early Career Investigators in the fields of cancer, regenerative medicine, and neuroscience”. In 2020, Dr. Pouladi received the prestigious Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research Scholar Award. This award recognizes his innovative research on “The use of human stem cells to understand mechanisms and develop treatments for neurological disorders.” Central to his research is the mission to understand how specific genetic factors contribute to the onset of neurological disorders, and in particular age-related neurodegenerative conditions such Huntington’s disease.
Authors: Zhenjiang Li, Donghai Liang, Stefanie Ebelt, Marla Gearing, Michael S. Kobor, Chaini Konwar, Julie L. MacIsaac, Kristy Dever, Aliza P. Wingo, Allan I. Levey, James J. Lah, Thomas S. Wingo, Anke Hüls
Title: Differential DNA methylation in the brain as potential mediator of the association between traffic-related PM2.5 and neuropathology markers of Alzheimer’s disease
Summary: A new publication led by researchers at Emory University in collaboration with Dr. Michael Kobor’s laboratory explores the connection between fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure and Alzheimer’s disease (AS) neuropathology. The study, conducted on post-mortem human brain tissues, employs a comprehensive approach, including genome-wide DNA methylation (DNAm) analysis, to investigate potential mediation effects. The researchers discovered significant associations between PM2.5 and specific DNAm sites, linked to genes related to neuroinflammation. 24 sites are identified as potential mediators between PM2.5 exposure and AD-related neuropathological markers. This study provides novel insights into the role of DNAm in mediating the association between traffic-related PM2.5 and AD, emphasizing the importance of understanding biological mechanisms in air pollution-related neurodegenerative diseases.
Dr. Silvia Stringhini’s laboratory, housed within the UBC School of Population and Public Health (SPPH), is seeking a highly qualified part-time Data Scientist to join their team as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in advancing their research program focused on life course socio-economic determinants of health and aging.
As a vital member of Dr. Silvia Stringhini’s Lab, the Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the role of Data Scientist will be instrumental in shaping and executing our research initiatives. Responsibilities include actively contributing to project planning and development, employing advanced statistical methodologies for analyzing large-scale datasets, and documenting findings in a digital lab notebook. The successful candidate will play a central role in communicating and coordinating project goals with both internal lab members and external stakeholders. They will be pivotal in supporting the preparation of manuscripts, grants, and data access requests, showcasing their organizational acumen and contributing to the overall success of lab business, Through regular participation in lab meetings and collaboration with Dr. Stringhini, the Postdoctoral Research Fellow will contribute to the dynamic and multidisciplinary environment of the lab, fostering an atmosphere of innovation and collaboration in pursuit of understanding life course socio-economic determinants of health and aging. %FTE is negotiable and hybrid or remote working solutions will be considered for the right candidate.
Applications will be accepted until 11:50 PM on March 3, 2024. Click here to apply!
Adam Lemkow graduated from Carleton University with a BSc Hons. in Neuroscience in 2022 and from Western University with a BA in Media & the Public Interest in 2016. Adam is keenly interested in the gut-brain axis and is currently studying cognition and Parkinson’s disease in the Appel-Cresswell lab.
