Getting the Most Out of Getting Older with Dr. Aditi Gurkar

Alan Lowe interviews Dr. Aditi Gurkar, assistant professor at the University of Pittsburgh's Aging Institute. Dr. Gurkar discusses her transition from medical doctor to becoming a leading researcher in aging, driven by her grandfather's cancer diagnosis. She explains the critical difference between chronological and biological age, highlighting how aging impacts both physical and functional health. Dr. Gurkar also emphasizes the importance of early healthy habits, the value of in-person social connections, and the potential for delaying biological aging through targeted interventions while advocating for societal changes to support longer, healthier lives.     Guest Bio Dr. Aditi Gurkar is an assistant professor at the University of Pittsburgh's Aging Institute and a leading researcher in the field of aging. Originally from Mumbai, India, Dr. Gurkar initially aspired to become a medical doctor but shifted her focus to scientific research after a transformative experience in genetic counseling. Inspired by her grandfather's battle with cancer, she pursued a PhD in cancer biology before realizing that aging is the primary risk factor for many diseases. Her work emphasizes the importance of early healthy habits and social connections in delaying biological aging, with a focus on developing interventions to promote longer, healthier lives.     Show Notes (1:52) What led Aditi to decide to study science (5:33) Aditi's advice to young women thinking about a career in STEM (6:43) Why Aditi decided to focus on aging (8:54) Chronological vs. biological aging (10:12) Why our bodies age (10:47) What happens to our bodies as we age (13:11) Tips for aging well and enjoying being older (15:38) Can the aging process be reversed?   Links Referenced Gurkar Lab: http://agresearchlab.com/ Twitter: https://x.com/healthspan_aug