What is normal brain aging and what can you do to improve your brain health?
TGen offers listeners a deeper dive into a particular biomedical-related topic or program through its monthly podcast TGen Talks. Each free-flowing episode allows a TGen scientist to connect with a broader audience by explaining the finer details involved in their research at a listener-friendly level.
December’s episode escaped the sound booth for a live event in front of a studio audience. The inaugural TGen Talks Live featured Drs. Matthew Huentelman and Nicholas Schork who joined our host Karie Dozer for an in-depth conversation on precision aging.
A continuation of TGen’s 20th Anniversary celebrations, the event, hosted by the TGen Foundation and sponsored by Phoenix IDA and Bell Bank, took place at the Center for Positive Media.
“The goal of the program was to thank a number of our supporters and introduce others in our community unfamiliar with TGen to the great work of our faculty in areas such as precision aging,” said Erin Massey, Chief Development Officer at TGen, and Vice President of Philanthropy at City of Hope. “Through effective storytelling and the participation of a great audience, the night was a success and one I hope we can recreate at future events.”
Aging encompasses a variety of aspects—both physical and mental—a fact made evident by the topics covered and the research presented. Where Huentelman’s work covers the brain and the more cognitive aspects of aging, Schork’s work focuses on the physical changes we undergo as we age. Topics discussed included how genetics influences aging, current research, lifestyle choices and the benefits of off-the-shelf supplements and whether they live up to the hype. The event closed with a Q & A session produced and hosted by local broadcasting personality and the Center for Positive Media’s co-founder Carey Peña.