Students and faculty from the School of Aging Studies were recognized for their outstanding scholarship and mentorship at the Gerontological Society of America’s (GSA) Annual Scientific Meeting, held Nov. 12-15 in Boston.
William E. Haley stands with fellow GSA attendees and his Distinguished Mentorship in Gerontology Award.
William E. Haley, PhD, distinguished university professor in the School of Aging Studies, received the Distinguished Mentorship in Gerontology Award from the GSA Behavioral and Social Sciences Section. This award is given to an individual who has fostered excellence in, and had a major impact on, the field by virtue of their mentoring, and whose inspiration is sought by students and colleagues. Colleagues celebrated the national recognition, noting that Haley’s accomplishments elevate the reputation of the department, college, and university.
Layla Katharine Santana, a doctoral student in Aging Studies, received the Emerging Scholar and Professional Organization (ESPO) Poster Award in the Minority Issues in Gerontology category. The award recognizes original, innovative research conducted by GSA Student and Early Career members.
Santana accepted the award during a reception attended by fellow doctoral students, School of Aging Studies faculty, and her doctoral supervisor, Professor Hongdao Meng, MD, MPH, PhD. She was invited to offer brief remarks and used the moment to reflect on her research journey, future goals, and the mentors who have supported her work.
Layla Katharine Santana with Elizabeth Muñoz, chair of the Minority Issues in Gerontology Advisory Panel.
Debra Dobbs and Girish Hemrajani with Hemrajani's poster presentation.
Sridevi Unni Nair with her poster presentation.
School of Aging Studies doctoral student Girish Hemrajani earned the Best Student Poster Award from the Hospice, Palliative, and End of Life Special Interest Group for his project, "Artificial Intelligence in Advance Care Planning: A Scoping Review." Hemrajani expressed deep gratitude to his mentor, Debra Dobbs, PhD, professor and director of the School of Aging Studies, for her guidance and support.
Sridevi Unni Nair, also a doctoral student in the School of Aging Studies, presented her project, "Gut-Microbiome Signatures Differentiate Physical Function in Older Adults: Evidence from the Florida MiaGB Consortium." Her work contributes to emerging research connecting microbiome profiles and physical functioning in older adults.
Also, Lindsay Peterson, PhD, was awarded fellow status, an acknowledgment of outstanding and continuing work in the field of gerontology, and the highest category of membership within the society.
GSA is the oldest and largest interdisciplinary organization devoted to research, education, and practice in the field of aging.