Aging Institute Research Day
Celebrating Research on Aging
Monday, November 2, 2026 // 12:00pm-5:30pm
The Aging Institute will hold its 17th Annual Research Day on Aging on Monday, November 2, 2026 at the University Club. This event highlights pioneering basic, translational, and clinical research on aging from across the University of Pittsburgh and UPMC.
The session will begin with opening remarks by Anantha Shekhar, MD, PhD, senior vice chancellor for the health sciences and John and Gertrude Petersen Dean, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, followed by our keynote speaker, Thomas A. Rando, MD, PhD, director of the Broad Stem Cell Research Center and professor of neurology, UCLA.
All Abstracts will be accepted. Please submit abstracts using this link: aginginstituteresearchday.pitt.edu/secure/Abstracts.asp
Keynote Speaker
Dr. Thomas A. Rando, MD, PhD is the Director of Broad Stem Cell Research at UCLA.
Thomas A. Rando, MD, PhD
Dr. Thomas A. Rando, MD, PhD is the Director of Broad Stem Cell Research at UCLA.
As a neurologist who ran a clinical service for more than 20 years, Rando brings a translational focus to his own research and to his roles leading research enterprises. He has been at the forefront of studying how stem cells throughout the body maintain their ability to promote tissue homeostasis and repair – and how this capacity declines with age. This includes his research into the molecular regulation of stem cell quiescence, a state of high resilience and tremendous capacity to orchestrate tissue repair and regeneration.
His work has included the development of novel tools that enable non-invasive assessment of disease progression and therapeutic responses in preclinical animal models of muscular dystrophies. He has also pioneered studies of stem cell therapeutics for the restoration of structure of injured or diseased muscles using approaches at the interface of stem cell biology and bioengineering.
Dr. Rando’s innovative studies of the epigenetics of stem cell aging in mice showed that old tissues could be rejuvenated by exposure to young blood. His recent work has also revealed that exercise can lead to the regeneration of aged stem cells. These studies have formed the basis of an expanding area of aging research and led to clinical trials of novel therapies for neurodegenerative and other age-related conditions. Through this work, he is exploring novel approaches to reverse cellular aging and promote stem cell resilience. Such interventions could enhance tissue repair and maintenance throughout life and prevent the onset of age-related diseases.
He is an elected member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the National Academy of Medicine.
Research Highlight Speakers
Bokai Zhu, PhD
Associate Professor of Medicine
Aging Institute, University of Pittsburgh
Stacey J. Sukoff Rizzo, PhD
Professor of Neurobiology
Director, Preclinical Phenotyping Core
Aging Institute, University of Pittsburgh
Eliza Miller, PhD
Associate Professor of Neurology
Division Chief, Women’s Neurology
UPMC Endowed Chair in Women’s Brain Health
Steven M. Handler, MD, PhD, CMD
Associate Professor of Medicine
Associate Professor of Biomedical Informatics
Associate Professor of Clinical & Translational Research
Director of Geriatric Telemedicine Programs
Director, Geriatrics Research, Education, and Clinical Center (GRECC), VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System
Medical Director, Healthy Home Laboratory, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Pittsburgh
Deadlines
Abstract Submission Form Opens
August 24, 2026
CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT AN ABSTRACT
Abstract Submission Form Closes
October 9, 2026
Poster Drop-Off
November 2, 2026
10:00am-11:00am
Ballroom B – University Club
Poster Guidelines
- Posters Presentations will be in the Ballroom from 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
- Push pins will be provided to you to attach your presentation to the poster panel
- The poster board surface is 4’ high and 6’ wide.
- Keep in mind that your poster will be viewed at a distance of 3 feet so be sure that all typescript is large enough to be read from this distance.
- Charts, photos, print outs of slides, etc. may be individually attached to the poster board surface with pins (which, as previously mentioned, will be provided to you) or you can attach one large poster to the panel.
- Do NOT use heavy cardboard for any part of your presentation; the pins will not be strong enough to keep it affixed to the board.
- Keep it simple. Overly decorative poster boards can distract from the content of your presentation.
- Adding blocks of color to your presentation can be a great way to differentiate sections (Methods, Results, etc) from one another
- DO NOT WRITE OR PAINT ON THE POSTER BOARDS. The boards are being rented and must be returned to the company that afternoon.
- Poster tear-down will be after 5:00 pm
- Please contact Jenna Baughman at jcb336@pitt.edu if you have any questions/concerns.