Aging Research Aims for Healthier, Longer Lives
A Harvard researcher is investigating ways to slow the aging process, focusing on extending healthspan rather than just lifespan. This innovative approach aims to prevent chronic diseases and improve overall well-being as people grow older.
Unveiling Aging Mechanisms
Hannah Smith, a recent graduate of Harvard’s Biological Sciences in Public Health program, studied how to delay aging to prevent chronic illnesses. She explored the biological mechanisms that govern aging in the lab of William Mair within the Department of Molecular Metabolism. Her research aims to improve health during the aging process.
Smith’s work centered on a specific protein signaling pathway that controls cell function. Modifying this pathway in microscopic worms, C. elegans, can extend their lives. However, Smith sought to refine this process to avoid negative side effects.
“Aging is the number one risk factor for a lot of different diseases—metabolic diseases like diabetes, neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer.”
—Hannah Smith
Her work reveals that neurons are key in regulating aging. Manipulating this pathway in the brain may be too risky for humans, but the research shows the promise of tissue-specific aging interventions. According to the World Health Organization, the global population aged 60 years and over is expected to double by 2050, reaching 2.1 billion, highlighting the urgency of research into aging (WHO 2023).
From Public Health to Outdoor Adventures
Smith grew up near the mountains and has always valued nature. This interest led her to environmental health sciences at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. During her undergraduate studies, she worked in a toxicology lab, researching air pollution’s impact on people.
Smith desired to retain a public health perspective during her graduate studies. The BPH program allowed her to study genetics while keeping the broader public health context in mind. She sought to understand the fundamental science of genetics and how it affects the aging process. She also enjoyed learning from other departments, connecting her research to real-world issues like nutrition and metabolic diseases.
After completing her Ph.D., Smith took a break from science to explore other interests, including rock climbing. She is currently living in Utah, climbing and traveling. She wanted to take a mental break, and is now reconnecting with people she could not see during grad school, and exploring. The goal is to live a life that balances her interests in science and adventure.
This research highlights the complex interplay between genetics, environment, and lifestyle in aging. The focus on improving healthspan through targeted interventions offers a promising avenue for enhancing the quality of life as populations age.
