Inspiring and Sustaining an Aging Research Career Through the Ups and Downs of Life

Sponsored by the Research Committee
 

Co-Moderators: Christine K. Liu, MD, MS & Kah Poh Loh, MD, MS, FASCO, FACCC, AGSF

Panelists: Megan J. Huisingh-Scheetz, MD, MPH; Thomas K.M. Cudjoe, MD, MPH, MA; Sara E. Espinoza, MD; Kenneth Schmader, MD 

The AGS Research Committee and the Research Methods Subcommittee have coordinated this unique and timely session to facilitate an exchange of strategies among aging researchers for maintaining resilience throughout an aging research career lifespan. This session will feature representatives from pivotal stages of training: medical school, fellowship, junior faculty, mid-career faculty, senior faculty and retirement. These representatives were selected to highlight the unique challenges inherent at each juncture of an aging research career. We will harness their extensive and varied experience to delineate vital strategies for surmounting these challenges and sustaining resilience. In addition, we will explore avenues through which we can collectively bolster and fortify the broader community of aging researchers. Learning Objectives: (1) identify key professional and personal challenges encountered across major stages of an aging research career, including medical training, fellowship, junior faculty, mid-career, senior faculty, and retirement; (2) describe evidence-informed strategies to foster resilience, adaptability, and sustained scholarly productivity throughout the lifespan of an aging research career; (3) recognize common inflection points (e.g., funding transitions, leadership roles, caregiving responsibilities, burnout) that may impact career trajectory and research sustainability; and (4) develop a personalized framework for navigating career transitions while maintaining alignment with long-term professional goals in aging research.