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Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology

Biology of Healthy Aging Program

Studies within this group range from molecular and cellular to genetic and laboratory animal-based approaches targeted to understanding the mechanisms, risk factors, and pathophysiology of aging-related changes in health, function, and quality of life.

In addition, the faculty and staff involved in this interdisciplinary program has considerable expertise in the development of clinical translational studies in human populations, epidemiological studies in populations of older adults, and in clinical intervention trials.

The major aims of the Biology of Healthy Aging Program

  1. Investigate etiologies for age-related activation in inflammatory and renin-angiotensin system pathways and their consequences on the development of frailty, sarcopenia, cognitive decline, osteopenia, and other chronic diseases of older adults.

  2. Develop treatments that focus on inflammation and angiotensin system activation and their consequences.

  3. Investigate the viral-related causes and treatments for immunosenescence in older adults, and develop treatments for these etiologies.

  4. Develop novel vaccination strategies for frail older adults for influenza and CMV.

  5. Study the etiologies and consequences of aging-related changes in mitochondria on health and well being.

  6. Develop and validate physiotypes of frailty and robust health in older adults by integrating genetic, cellular, and clinical level phenomena into integrative biological models

  7. Translate novel aging-related biological findings into diagnostic tests, novel treatments, and preventive strategies that will help to optimize quality of life and healthy aging.

Quick Links Our Research

 

Our Team

Our Faculty

Peter Magdy Abadir, M.D.

Associate Professor of Medicine
Peter Magdy Abadir

Tae Hwan Chung, M.D.

Assistant Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Assistant Professor of Neurology
Tae Hwan Chung

Neal S. Fedarko, Ph.D.

Director, Clinical Research Core Laboratory, Institute for Clinical & Translational Research
Co-Director, Fellowship Training Program in Gerontology and Geriatrics
Co-Director, Biology of Healthy Aging Program, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
Professor of Medicine
Neal S. Fedarko

Will Fountain

Research Associate
ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologist

Will Fountain

Thomas Laskow, M.D.

Assistant Professor, Division of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology
Thomas Laskow

Sean Xiao Leng, M.D., Ph.D.

Professor of Medicine
Sean Xiao Leng

Lolita Sai Nidadavolu, M.D., Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Medicine

Lolita Sai Nidadavolu, M.D., Ph.D.

Esther Seunghee Oh, M.D., Ph.D.

Co-Director, Johns Hopkins Memory and Alzheimer's Treatment Center
Associate Professor of Medicine
Assistant Professor of Pathology
Joint Appointment in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Esther Seunghee Oh

Jeremy David Walston, M.D.

Raymond and Anna Lublin Professor of Geriatric Medicine & Gerontology
Deputy Director, Division of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology
Co-Director, Biology of Healthy Aging Program
Professor of Medicine
Professor of Oncology
Jeremy David Walston

Qinchuan Wang, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Medicine
Qinchuan Wang

Reyhan Marcus Westbrook, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Medicine
Reyhan Marcus Westbrook

Our Fellows

Inga Margret Antonsdottir

Inga Antonsdottir is a postdoctoral fellow with a D.N.P. and Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins School of Nursing. Her research focuses on sleep disturbances in persons living with dementia and their care partners. She’s passionate about studying and treating sleep and circadian rhythm disruptions, and exploring behavioral and pharmacological interventions for preventing and treating Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Inga’s research methodology primarily involves clinical trials, where she studies dyads (individuals living with memory impairment and their aging care partners), approaching these relationships as units. Her goal is to develop clinical guidelines for managing sleep disturbances within these dyads and shorten the time it takes for research and treatments to be implemented in clinical settings. By conducting clinical trials designed for easy translation to the bedside, Inga aims to improve care and outcomes for those affected by dementia and their caregivers. She is dedicated to creating research that not only enhances scientific understanding but also leads to real-world solutions that can be easily integrated into clinical practice. Outside of her research, Inga enjoys spending time with dog.

Inga Antonsdottir

Michael R. Bene

Michael Bene earned a B.S. in biomedical engineering at Drexel University, where he worked on examining the role of senescent cells in aging. He got his Ph.D. in integrated biomedical sciences from the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio studying the role of the Alzheimer’s-associated protein tau in aging skeletal muscle health and pharmacological aging interventions. Michael then joined the Division of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology as a T32 fellow of the Division of Rheumatology, focusing on inclusion body myositis (IBM), the most common age-associated myopathy. He has worked on analyzing metabolomic and transcriptomic effects of interventions, and analysis of the natural history of IBM functional decline. Currently, Michael is working on projects including the role of the exercise-associated protein CaMKII on aging skeletal muscle health and the metabolomic and proteomic effects of losartan on aging health in mice and pre-frail older adults. He hopes to run a lab focused on the biology of aging to help preserve human health and well-being into older age. In his free time, Michael enjoys reading, listening to ‘80s music and staying active.

headshot of Michael Bene

Kwadwo Bonsu

Kwadwo Bonsu is a postdoctoral fellow in Dr. Dan Arking’s lab in the Department of Genetic Medicine. He received a B.S. from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County in chemical, biochemical and environmental engineering before attending graduate school for his master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of California, Irvine in chemical and biomolecular engineering. His graduate thesis focused on mathematical modeling and bioinformatic analyses of epigenetic systems (DNA methylation, chromatin accessibility) to further inform the mechanisms that give rise to stable gene expression throughout development, aging and disease onset. His current research includes the development of long-read sequencing methods and informatic analysis in large data cohorts (e.g., the All of Us Research Program, UK Biobank), specifically in the context of identifying mitochondrial genetic variants related to aging and cancer progression. Kwadwo’s goal is to develop clinically relevant computational methodologies and mathematical modeling efforts to continue to research the underpinnings of aging, then improve upon patient health outcomes. Outside of research, he’s a multi-instrumentalist who plays guitar, bass and keyboards; a sample-based music producer/engineer; and an avid powerlifter.

Kwadwo Bonsu

Rachel Boyd

Rachel Boyd’s research focuses on understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms driving cognitive decline in neurodegenerative disorders, with a particular emphasis on neuroinflammatory pathways. Her work aims to identify novel therapeutic targets and develop innovative strategies for intervention and treatment, particularly in Alzheimer's disease. Through her use of 3D cell culture techniques and patient-derived brain organoids, she studies individualized, precision-medicine approaches to detecting and treating Alzheimer's in order to contribute to the field of neurodegenerative disease research. Rachel’s research excellence has been recognized by prestigious awards including the Canadian Institutes of Health Research Doctoral Foreign Study Award in 2022 and the Society for Neuroscience Trainee Professional Development Award in 2024. With her passion for science and commitment to improving the lives of those affected by Alzheimer’s disease, she pushes the boundaries of neuroscience research and is dedicated to developing meaningful therapeutic advancements for neurodegenerative disorders. Originally from Vancouver, British Columbia, Rachel is a proud Canadian, an avid lover of the outdoors who enjoys hiking, skiing and playing beach volleyball, and an enthusiastic supporter of the Vancouver Canucks.

Rachel Boyd

Kaleb Burch

Kaleb Burch is a postdoctoral research fellow and T32 aging scholar whose primary research focus is rehabilitation, specifically addressing aging-related mobility deficits through advanced technologies. He holds a B.S. in engineering from Messiah University and a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from the University of Delaware. His work integrates motion analysis, biomechanics, wearable devices and exoskeletons to improve the diagnosis and treatment of mobility issues in older adults. Kaleb aims to enhance rehabilitation science and clinical practice to help clinicians better monitor and treat mobility challenges, ultimately improving the quality of life for aging populations. His research strives to bridge the gap between technology and clinical application, improving both understanding and treatment of mobility deficits in aging adults. Outside of work, Kaleb enjoys playing sports, watching Philadelphia Eagles games, spending time with his wife and twin boys, and making homemade ice cream.
headshot of Kaleb Burch

Anicca D. Harriot

A postdoctoral research fellow in biomedical engineering, Anicca Harriot specializes in skeletal muscle microphysiological systems. She holds a B.S. in biophysical sciences from Regent University and a Ph.D. in biochemistry and molecular biology from the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Her research focuses on the effects of aging and spaceflight biology, specifically how spaceflight mimics accelerated aging phenotypes in skeletal muscle and bone, linking these effects to frailty in aging individuals on earth and aiming to combat musculoskeletal deficits in spaceflight while addressing broader aging-related concerns in the general population. Anicca’s expertise in mechanobiology, muscle physiology and tissue engineering allows her to conduct experiments relevant to patient populations, increasing diversity in patient representation and advancing equitable outcomes in translational medicine. Her work at the intersection of emerging biotechnology and science policy has been recognized with honors including the University of Maryland President's Fellowship Award in 2021 and the Attillo R. and Myrtle L. Jackson Award in 2023, and was featured in the American Journal of Physiology. Outside of work, Anicca’s passionate about her cat, cooking elaborate meals, and investing in her community.
Anicca Harriot

Our Research

The Aging Renin Angiotensin System

Renin Angiotensin System

The Renin Angiotensin System (RAS) is a major hormone system with a crucial role in physiologic and pathophysiologic mechanisms in almost every organ system, including brain, liver, kidney, bones, heart, and blood vessels. It is regarded as a key regulator of hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and renal function. Evidence strongly supports that Angiotensin II (Ang II) promotes inflammation and the generation of reactive oxygen species and governs the onset and progression of vascular senescence, which are all associated with the functional and structural changes that lead to age-related diseases. 

Chronic Inflammation and Late-Life Decline

Chronic Inflammation

The importance of age-related, low-level chronic elevations in inflammatory cytokines is increasingly recognized as pathophysiologic in older adults. This chronic inflammatory state has adverse effects on multi-organ systems, leading to the development of chronic diseases, disability, frailty, and mortality in older adults.

Immune Senescence

Immune Senescence

Immune senescence, or the aging of the immune system, particularly its effect on changes in lymphocyte development and function, predisposes older adults to a higher risk of latent virus reactivation. The varicella-zoster virus, for example, the agent responsible for chickenpox in children, remains dormant in nerve cells in the trigeminal and dorsal root ganglia and reactivates in later life to cause shingles and post-herpetic neuralgia.

Other persistent viral infections include Epstein-Barr virus, herpes simplex virus-1 and -2, and cytomegalovirus (CMV).

Age-related immune senescent remodeling likely involves both the innate and adaptive immune system and may contribute to the immune system’s functional decline; chronic inflammatory state; and risk for frailty, chronic disease, and functional decline in older adults.

Mitochondrial Biology

Aged Brain

Mitochondria are the cells’ powerhouses and play a crucial role in the development of increased levels of oxidative stress and ultimately in program cell death (apoptosis). Investigators focused on aging have long hypothesized that mitochondria are of crucial importance to the evolution of aging and frail phenotypes.

Muscle and Bone Biology in Frailty

Muscle and Bone

Decreases in physical stature and mobility, which reflect changes in the scaffolding and leveraging systems of the body-the skeleton and muscles, are two easily observed changes associated with aging. Bone and muscle are dynamic organs that undergo continuous repair and remodeling throughout life. These two systems are inter-related because the action of muscle on bone is key to normal remodeling of bone and muscle mass is influenced by bone density.

Persistent Viral Infections and T-Cell Repertoires in Older Adults

In older adults, persistent infections caused by herpes viruses can be a common problem. These viruses usually enter the hosts, cause primary disease earlier in life, and remain latent in various cell types. Under the appropriate conditions, these viruses may reactivate to cause disease and elicit recall responses from the adaptive immune system, resulting in inflammation and proliferation of antigen-specific T-cells aimed at suppressing viral replication. 

Reactivation of the herpes viruses is more common in immunosuppressed or immunocompromised people who have impaired T-cell immunity, such as transplant recipients and patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Human cytomegalovirus (CMV) infects more than 80 percent of adults 60 years and older in the United States. After an acute infection that may produce anywhere from no symptoms in young healthy adults to severe congenital syndromes in newborns, CMV remains latent in mononuclear cells, among other cell types, in a nonreplicating or slowly replicating form.

In immunocompromised patients, CMV is the most common opportunistic pathogen to cause significant morbidity and mortality, reactivating frequently and producing severe disease. However, the long-term clinical effect of CMV infection in people with a competent immune system is not well known. Cardiovascular disease has been associated with CMV seropositivity in adults.