College of Biological Sciences

The Petri Dish explores how biology affects our lives and what it means for our future. No PowerPoints. Just lively, curiosity-driven conversations on timely topics with University of Minnesota experts.

The Fountain of Youth may be a fantasy, but scientists think it may be possible to develop interventions that extend our “healthspan.” The implications for society, not to mention individuals, are significant. Could a pill help you stay healthier longer? What are the trade-offs? How close are we to a time when aging and decline are untethered? Will aging ever be a choice rather than an inevitability? We’ll discuss!

Panelists

Professor Laura Niedernhofer is the director of the Institute on the Biology of Aging & Metabolism (iBAM) at the University of Minnesota. Internationally recognized as an expert in the molecular and cellular basis of aging, Dr. Niedernhofer’s expertise is in how cellular senescence is regulated as well as the role of DNA repair during aging.

Associate Professor Tetyana Shippee works in the School of Public Health. As a social gerontologist, Shippee's work focuses on what really matters to people as they age, such as quality of life measures (like social interactions with others and meal enjoyment) in long-term care settings and the role of racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic disparities for older adults' quality of life.

Details

• Thursday, October 22, 4 - 5:30 p.m. CT via Zoom.
• No cost.
• You will receive the Zoom link to join in a confirmation e-mail and two days before the event.
• Hosted in collaboration with the Bell Museum.

Register