On a bright November 1, The McMaster Institute for Research on Aging hosted the 2023 MIRA & Labarge Knowledge Exchange at Liuna Station in downtown Hamilton. Drawing together over 120 researchers, trainees and guests, the event showcased the progress and successes in aging research McMaster University led over the past year.
The Knowledge Exchange began with words of welcome by Andy Knights, McMaster’s acting vice-president, research. MIRA’s scientific director, Parminder Raina, followed with a year-in-review that celebrated the successes of MIRA members and trainees, and of the interdisciplinary approaches that MIRA-supported projects have used to address the multifaceted issues associated with aging.
The first session showcased some of the tangible impacts of MIRA and Labarge support — highlighting researchers’ successes in leveraging that support into additional funding, career growth and new areas of focus.
Chaired by Marla Beauchamp, the associate scientific director of the MIRA | Dixon Hall Centre, the second session featured work happening through the centre, establishing connections and collaborations between academia and local communities.
The day’s plenary concentrated on MIRA’s contributions to the United Nations Decade of Healthy Aging and work by MIRA researchers on developing a unified framework for older adult mobility measurement with the World Health Organization. Jotheeswaran Thiyagarajan and Christhopher Mikton, invited guest from the WHO, staff spoke remotely from Geneva Switzerland.
An illuminating session of poster presentations featured over 50 MIRA trainees and funded researchers, providing a dynamic platform for engaging discussions and knowledge exchange.
The event was closed with words from Suzanne Labarge, McMaster’s former chancellor and generous supporter of aging research. Labarge reflected in the successes of MIRA and offered words of encouragement to the attendees.
Following the event, a speed mentoring session connected MIRA trainees with research professionals to network and learn about diverse career paths in research.
The next MIRA & Labarge Knowledge Exchange will be held in spring 2024.
2023 MIRA & Labarge Knowledge Exchange Presenters
SESSION 1 Demonstrating the impact of MIRA and Labarge support
Chair: Parminder Raina
Stuart Phillips (professor, kinesiology)
Physical activity as a keystone part of optimal aging: Innovative ways to keep older persons active
Léa Ravensbergen (assistant professor, Earth, environment & society)
Fostering age-friendly transport in Hamilton and beyond
Rong Zheng (professor, computing and software)
Reflecting on three years of progress: The NSERC CREATE program on smart mobility for the aging populations
Milena Head (professor, information systems)
The digital double-edged sword for older adults
SESSION 2 Dixon Hall and forming community connections
Chair: Marla Beauchamp
Marla Beauchamp (associate professor, rehabilitation science)
Overview and vision for the MIRA | Dixon Hall Centre
Chris Chow (director, seniors’ services, Dixon Hall)
How technology and exercise builds community
Sachi O’Hoski (assistant clinical professor (adjunct), rehabilitation science)
McMaster Monitoring My Mobility (MacM3): Expanding to Dixon Hall
Liz Alvarez (associate professor, health research methods, evidence, and impact)
EMBOLDEN: Strategic partnerships to enhance physical and community mobility in older adults
Gina Agarwal (professor, family medicine)
An adaptation of the CP@clinic program to improve quality of life and healthy aging with Dixon Hall Neighborhood Services
PLENARY MIRA and the Decade of Healthy Ageing
Chair: Parminder Raina
Jotheeswaran Thiyagarajan (World Health Organization)Christopher Mikton (World Health Organization)
WHO | Measuring the impact of UN Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021-2030)
Marla Beauchamp
Unified framework for mobility measurement
Ayse Kuspinar (associate professor, rehabilitation science)
Measuring mobility in older adults: A review of the evidence
Poster Competition Winner
Gold Postdoctoral Fellow
- Vanessa De Rubeis
Silver Postdoctoral Fellow
- Talha Rafiq
Gold PhD
- Giulia Coletta
- Myanca Rodrigues
Silver PhD
- Komal Aryal
- Y V Raghava Neelapala
Gold Masters
- Catherine Andary
Silver Masters
- Lachlan MacLean
Gold Undergraduate
- Marfy Abousifein
Silver Undergraduate
- Amanda Densil
