The Edwin S.H. Leong Centre for Healthy Aging is delighted to announce the recipients of the 2024/2025 Healthy Aging Postdoctoral Fellowship. This award supports outstanding postdoctoral researchers conducting innovative research relevant to healthy aging at UBC. By fostering early-career researchers, this fellowship contributes to advancing world-class aging research in British Columbia. See the 2 winners and their groundbreaking projects below:
Shane Taylor, Faculty of Medicine (Supervisor: Dr. Stefan Taubert)
Aging is a major risk factor for diseases such as neurodegenerative disorders and cancer. Shane’s research focuses on the molecular stress response pathways associated with healthy aging, using C. elegans as a model organism. His work explores how the protein Nuclear Hormone Receptor NHR-49 regulates life span, health span, and stress resistance. By studying the molecular signals and kinases that control NHR-49, Shane aims to uncover insights into human orthologs and potential interventions for age-related diseases.
Gilciane Ceolin, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Supervisor: Dr. Annalijn Conklin)
Gilciane’s research investigates how changes in social ties—such as marital status, living arrangements, and social participation—impact depression linked to type 2 diabetes (T2D) in older adults. Her work also examines the role of healthy eating, particularly fruit and vegetable intake, in mitigating T2D-related depression. By identifying ways to improve mental health and social well-being, her findings aim to guide future health programs and policies for older adults.
We congratulate Shane and Gilciane on their exceptional achievements and look forward to seeing the impact of their research on advancing healthy aging!