The McMaster Institute for Research on Aging (MIRA) is pleased to announce the prestigious Suzanne Labarge Lecture in Aging, set to take place on April 14, 2025, at 12:30 p.m., in the Atrium at McMaster Innovation Park. Named for chancellor emerita and McMaster alumna Dr. (Hon.) Suzanne Labarge, this lecture invites academics, clinicians, and members of the public to join us in celebrating advancements in aging research.
The inaugural lecture welcomes Dr. Stephen Lord, a Senior Principal Research Fellow at Neuroscience Research Australia and Scientia Professor at the University of New South Wales. As the Director of the Fall, Balance and Injury Research Centre, Dr. Lord is world-renowned for his research on balance, gait, and falls in older adults. His work has greatly influenced fall prevention strategies and has been adopted globally by researchers and clinicians.
All are welcome to join MIRA and Dr. Lord, who will synthesize recent findings on the role of new technologies, mobility assessments, and fall prevention interventions in reducing the risk of falls among older people.
Dr. Lord will discuss the utility of wearable sensors (using wrist-worn sensors and smart phones) for improving fall prediction and the efficacy of e-health, exergame, virtual reality, and reactive balance training interventions for fall prevention. The presentation will conclude with a discussion how this new research can be made available to older people and implemented into government policies and clinical practice.
Join MIRA for this landmark event as we explore innovative approaches to mobility in aging and celebrate the contributions of distinguished researchers in the field.
About Suzanne Labarge
Labarge, who is a member of the Order of Canada and a former vice-chair of the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), has a long history of supporting aging research at McMaster. Over the years, she has given more than $42 million to McMaster University to enhance the lives of older adults.
In 2007, her $2-million endowed gift established the Raymond and Margaret Labarge Chair in Research and Knowledge Application for Optimal Aging, named in tribute to her parents and has been held by Dr. Parminder Raina since its inception.
To bridge the gap between scientific research and real-world application, she founded the Labarge Optimal Aging Initiative in 2012 with a $12-million gift. The initiative includes the evidenced-based McMaster Optimal Aging Portal, a trusted online resource that takes complex information about aging and presents it in easy-to-understand language.
In 2016, her $15-million gift launched the Labarge Centre for Mobility in Aging (LCMA), which formally established the structure of MIRA at the university. The LCMA facilitates and amplifies research that mitigates the risks and consequences of declining mobility with age. In 2021, Labarge donated a further $5M to create the MIRA | Dixon Hall Centre, unique partnership between the McMaster Institute for Research on Aging (MIRA) and Dixon Hall, a multi-service agency focused on addressing poverty, social injustices and isolation across the lifespan, in Toronto’s downtown East. Labarge’s latest investment of $7.5 million in 2024 will help MIRA leverage existing research programs and engage in developing innovative programs to better understand how the drivers of brain and cognitive reserves, relationship between gut and brain and how brain impacts changes in physical and social function as people age.
About the Lecture
The Suzanne Labarge Lecture in Aging, named after chancellor emerita and McMaster alumna Suzanne Labarge, honours her longstanding support and contributions to aging research at McMaster University and the McMaster Institute for Research on Aging (MIRA). To be held annually, the lecture aims to foster interdisciplinary research and collaboration to optimize the longevity and well-being of Canada’s aging population.
Objectives, Impact and Vision of the Lecture
The lecture supports visits from distinguished researchers from Canada and abroad who are conducting innovative and interdisciplinary research on aging. Focus areas include:
- Biological and Physiological Contributors: Understanding the fundamental biological processes that affect aging.
- Behavioural, Cognitive, and Psychosocial Influences: Exploring how behaviour, cognition, and social factors impact aging processes.
- Biomedical, Clinical, and Technological Innovations: Developing new technologies and clinical practices to promote optimal aging.
- Prevention, Rehabilitation, and Management Strategies: Creating strategies to prevent, rehabilitate, and manage decline in function.
- Environmental Components: Examining the social, economic, policy, and physical factors that influence optimal aging and independence.
Impact and Vision
The Suzanne Labarge Lecture in Aging aims to:
- Promote Interdisciplinary Collaboration: By bringing together researchers, clinicians, and stakeholders from various fields, the lecture fosters a collaborative environment to address the complex challenges of aging.
- Advance Research and Innovation: The lecture highlights cutting-edge research and innovative approaches to improving function and independence in aging, encouraging the development of new solutions and strategies.
- Engage the Community: By inviting members of the public, the lecture seeks to raise awareness and understanding of aging-related issues, promoting a more informed and supportive community.
