The McMaster Institute for Research on Aging (MIRA) welcomed physician-scientist Caterina Rosano to campus on May 13, 2026, for the second annual Suzanne Labarge Lecture in Aging, drawing a large and engaged audience to hear about research in brain health and resilience in later life.
Rosano, a professor of epidemiology and associate director of clinical translation at the University of Pittsburgh’s Aging Institute, is an internationally recognized leader in the study of brain health, mobility and aging. With more than 200 peer-reviewed publications, her research focuses on understanding mobility resilience in older age and the neurobiological drivers of aging to promote healthier, more independent lives.
The afternoon public lecture welcomed more than 160 attendees, including McMaster researchers, trainees and older adult community members, to McMaster Innovation Park.
In her talk, Aging Brains: Connecting Longevity with Vitality and Resilience (CLeVR), Rosano explored how brain health shapes the ability to live well as we age, moving beyond lifespan to focus on quality of life. A key message that resonated strongly with the audience, was her emphasis on the three M’s: motivation, movement and making decisions. Rosano illustrated how these three elements are deeply interconnected, each playing a critical role in maintaining independence and overall well-being. Supporting these functions, she explained, offers a pathway to vitality and resilience in later life.
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Her presentation sparked a lively question-and-answer session, with audience members engaging directly on how these ideas could translate into practical strategies for individuals, caregivers and communities as well as the research implications of her neurobiological approach to mobility. The discussion reflected a strong community interest in research that bridges scientific discovery with everyday experiences of aging.
The lecture concluded with remarks from McMaster’s chancellor emerita Suzanne Labarge, in whose honour the series is named. A member of the Order of Canada, former vice-chair of RBC and a McMaster graduate, Labarge has been instrumental in advancing aging research at McMaster. Her contributions have supported initiatives such as the McMaster Optimal Aging Portal and the Labarge Centre for Mobility in Aging, and the MIRA | Dixon Hall Centre, an innovative partnership aimed at promoting healthy aging through research that engages directly with underserved communities.
While in Hamilton, Rosano connected with members of McMaster’s aging research community and gained insight into the innovative work in aging at the university, including the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) facilities and the McMaster Monitoring My Mobility (MacM3) study. Rosano also spent time meeting with a group of MIRA trainees, where she shared mentorship and career insights drawn from her experience as both a clinician and researcher.
Altogether, the second annual Suzanne Labarge Lecture in Aging highlighted the importance of connecting research, community and lived experience — while offering a hopeful vision for how science can help people age with greater vitality, resilience and independence.
