Networking Event

Wednesday

December 9, 2015

12 Humanities and Social Science Departments 354 Tenured/Tenure Track Faculty

“How people process and document the human experience”

College of Liberal Arts Research

December, 2015

• Neurobiology of learning and memory; affective modulation of brain systems

• Normative and atypical human development

• Health and race

• Media’s influence on health behavior

HEALTH Related Researcher Activities

Director: Dr. Charles D. Johnson

(Psychology)

Director: Dr. Mark Fossett (Sociology)

Established in 2011, multi-university consortium (including Baylor, UT, Rice, UTSA), five colleges Examples of data sets: National Center for Health Statistics, the Agency for Healthcare Research, and Quality

Healthy Aging in the College of Education and Human Development

Program on

Healthy Aging Texas A&M Health Science Center

School of Public Health Marcia G. Ory, PhD, MPH, Director

Vision: to be a recognized Center of Excellence for promoting successful aging throughout the life-course that will improve the lives of Texans and others throughout the nation and world.

Mission: to promote successful aging through innovations in research, education and practice that examine social, behavioral, environmental, and technological solutions linking academic and real-world settings.

Areas of interest: promoting evidence-based practices for chronic disease prevention and management; building healthy communities; exploring interactions between health, aging and technology; enhancing geriatric care; and growing the pipeline of experts in gerontology and geriatrics.

What We Do: Current Foci

• Infrastructure & Training

• Evidence-Based Disease Prevention Programs for

Seniors

• Population & Disease Specific Programs

• Childhood & Family Programs

AGING :Energy (900 MJ/kg) vs Entropy Generation (11,000 kJ/kg K) Over Life Span.

• Kalyan’s research on Combustion of Coal, , Oil and gas, oxygen deficient combustion in liquid fuel sprays and coal suspensions and Thermodynamics

• Track i) energy consumption ( kJ/kg) from birth to death using CDC data on food intake, ii) estimate entropy generation ( kJ/kg K) from birth to death;

• Women reach 10,000 kJ/kg over 78 yrs while men reach this # within 74 yrs; ants will reach it in a few days!

By Kalyan Annamalai, Paul Pepper Professor of Mech Engineering , kannamalai@tamu.edu

Death Limit for all species

Men Women

J. of Thermodynamics, 2009; J.of Entropy, 100-123, 2008; J.of Entropy, 2012

ORGAN STRESS: Which Organ has the highest Entropy generation per unit mass over life

Thermo, 2nd Ed(2012)

HLKN Bone Biology Laboratory (PI: S. Bloomfield, sbloom@tamu.edu)

Hip fracture: • Most serious consequence of aging-related

bone loss

• Over 50% with reduced mobility; mortality

as high as 20% within 2 yr

• Loss of bone strength accelerated by

periods of bed rest or muscle paralysis

Lab Objective: Understand how adaptations

of bone cell activity (& bone structural

integrity) to exercise or disuse is modified by: • Nutrition (calories, iron, omega-3)

• Osteoporosis medications

• Radiation exposure

• Changes in blood flow

• Estrogen status

Lisa Geraci

Department of Psychology

Explicit Implicit

Younger

Older

Me

mo

ry P

erf

orm

an

ce

Aging and cognition:

the role of test type and personal expectations

.30

.40

.45

.55

.35

Success

Pro

po

rtio

n r

ec

all

ed

Control

.50

.60

*

Younger

Older

3

3.5

4

4.5

5

5.5

25 45 65 85

Me

mo

ry B

eli

efs

Healthy Brain Aging William H. Griffith, Ph.D.

Neuroscience & Experimental Therapeutics

How do we keep our brains healthy ? How do we protect,

restore or enhance the functioning of our brains as we age?

(Institute of Medicine : Grand Challenges of 21st Century)

Big Questions

Electrophysiology Optogenetics Molecular Biology Immunohistochemistry Behavior

In Vitro: • Brain slices • Single isolated neurons

Young – unimpaired Aged – impaired Aged – unimpaired

Techniques

Program: Neurological function and brain aging • Calcium homeostasis and aging (>25 yrs) • Reproductive aging & estrogens (R01 AG041360)

• Optogenetic transgenic mice (R01 AG047652)

Ca 2+

extracellular

intracellular

Ca 2+

Ca 2+

Rapid buffering Aging

only

HEALTH PROMOTION FOR AGING AFRICAN

AMERICAN

Investigator: Dr. I. Shevon Harvey

Expertise:

Qualitative Research Methodology

Community-based Participatory Research

Chronically ill Population (i.e., co-morbidities such as diabetes,

arthritis, & blood pressure; overweight & obesity)

Interest in Healthy Aging:

Self-care management research,

Racial / ethnic health disparities,

Qualitative research,

Health protective behaviors among aging women,

Dissemination and implementation of research projects to

understand the complexity of health interventions (i.e., including

individuals with multiple health conditions & traditionally

underrepresented populations in research)

TTI – Center for Transportation Safety

• Driver safety research

– In-vehicle technologies

– Driver stress and workload

– Comprehension and decision making

• Older driver research

– Driving feedback

– Driving data for driver assessment

Human Rehabilitation Group Dr. Pilwon Hur at Mechanical Engineering, http://hurgroup.net

Research Interests

1. Human movement is optimal

2. Learn from Human movement

3. Neurological impairments affects optimality

4. Rehabilitate for optimal sensorimotor behavior

Public Policy Research Institute

Created in 1983 – 30 Projects Annually - $140 Million since 1986

Capabilities: Surveys – Large Datasets – Statistical Analysis

Illustrative Projects

Department of Aging and Disability Services Mandated Surveys

1.3 Million Served - PES Survey

Aging Texas Well

Texas Co-op Extension – Plan for boomer aging – Concept-mapping

AARP Survey

Evaluation Health & Wellness events – 3,000 Interviews – Ohio, Pennsylvania, Arizona

Design Research for Active Living Center for Health Systems and Design

Chanam Lee, PhD, Professor

Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning http://research.arch.tamu.edu/activeliving

chanam@tamu.edu Health Active

Living

Built

Environment

The Biological Control of Physical Activity J. Timothy Lightfoot, HLKN

• It is well known that Physical Activity is key to the attainment and maintenance of health (and cognitive ability), especially as one ages. • The literature is clear that Activity level is controlled by heredity, but this heritable control diminishes as individuals age. • Our work focuses on the Biological and Genetic mechanisms that regulate daily activity. - Sex hormones - Dopaminergic systems • Our hope is to better understand these mechanisms so that treatments/interventions can be developed to aid in the adoption & maintenance of a physically active lifestyle.

Create physical environments for

long-term care residents to

Walk & Roll

Zhipeng Lu, Ph.D., LEED AP BD+C

Associate Director, Center for Health Systems & Design

zlu@arch.tamu.edu

• Safe and convenient indoor & outdoor environments for walking or rolling wheelchairs

• Collaborate with administrators to modify the environment and develop activity programs

Director: Michael L. Madigan, PhD Director: Michael Madigan, Ph.D. Email: mlm@tamu.edu

GOAL: to help prevent injuries through an improved understanding of the biomechanics and neuromuscular control of human motion.

FOCUS: 1) understand factors that affect balance and contribute to falls 2) develop fall prevention interventions

Before training

After training

Slipping

Tripping

BMI/obesity

Aging

The NeuroErgonomics Lab

Brain-Behavior Assessments Brain (and muscle) imaging: Functional near infrared spectroscopy

Strength measurement: Isokinetic and handgrip dynamometers

Ambulatory sensors: Physical activity monitors, ECG sensors, electromyography (EMG) sensors, Balance board

Lab-based: Vicon Motion Capture, Force Plates, EMG, Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation

Research Interests NeuroErgonomic evaluation of stress/fatigue

Obesity and the Aging Brain

Depression and motor function

Promoting brain health for falls prevention and improving mobility

Collaborations SPH PHA, University at Buffalo, Motor

Neuroscience TAMU, Psychology TAMU

Funding NIH, Hogg Foundation, CDC NIOSH, Huffines

Institute, SPH

Ranjana Mehta, PhD rmehta@tamu.edu

979-436-9327

Steve Liu: liu@cse.tamu.edu

Adam Pickens: pickens@tamhsc.edu

Hearing, Movement and Balance

• Sensing and holistic modeling of functional levels

• Pattern modeling and feedback systems

• Use of pattern classification techniques to reconstruct individual function models

• Potential applications: functional level change detection to reduce the risk of falls

Upper/Lower Extremity Movements

Position and Balance Sensors

Low-Level Signal Processing

Low-Level Execution

High-Level Decision Making

Interactive Art Making for Social Connectedness and Empowerment

Interactive Plants: Soft/Organic Interfaces for Tangiable Reminiscing

Jinsil Hwaryoung Seo Ph.D. assistant professor

department of visualization, soft interaction lab

Klemens Meyer, MD; Duane Steward, DVM, MSIE, PhD

Role of SOLOMON* in Healthcare

SOLOMON

Personal

Health Preference

Model

Personal

Health Preference

Model

Depersonalized

Health Preference

Model

Healthcare Policy and Research

Insurance, HMO, Employer Health Plan

Internet

Web TV

Home

Software

Waiting Room

Software

Medical Care Delivery

*Systematic Obtainer of Language Overtly Multidimensional and Operational in Nature

Contact me to Collaborate

SAMUEL D. TOWNE JR., PHD, MPH, CPH

SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH

TOWNE@SPH.TAMHSC.EDU

Vascular Aging

• Aging is associated with increased stiffening of the large arteries which is a primary contributing factor to other pathologies such as stroke and heart failure

• We have focused on the mechanisms contributing to increased stiffness including elastin fiber degradation and altered extracellular matrix production.

• We use a variety of techniques that range from cell culture to whole animal studies. We use genetic models to manipulate changes in particular genes that are associated with the process.

The NLD is an initiative within the department of Educational Psychology that promotes the use of biometrics (EEG, Psychophysiology, Eye tracking) to better understand human learning and development throughout the lifespan. • Research mission

• Educational mission

• Community Outreach mission

Director: Dr. Steven Woltering

Website: nld.tamu.edu

Vascular Biology Laboratory

A. Vascular Aging B. Isolated Arteries

C. Cell Signaling D. Exercise

Design for Active Living

and Healthy Aging

Active Living &

Healthy Aging

Built Environment

Buildings… Communities…. Cities…

Xuemei Zhu, Ph.D., Associate Professor, College of Architecture, TAMU

Mission CTRAL The Center for Translational Research in Aging and Longevity is

engaged on ongoing translational research on nutrition, exercise, and

metabolism in relation to aging and the common diseases of our

aging population. Translation of knowledge from basic and applied

sciences to care and clinical practice for older adults is the overall

goal of CTRAL.

We particularly investigate the role of (protein, specific amino acids

and fat) metabolism on muscle mass and functional performance of

the muscle, gut and brain in the pursuit of healthy aging.

Furthermore, we examine how changes in nutrition can affect certain

metabolic pathways and improve outcomes in disease and aging.

Besides using advanced state-of the art stable isotope methodology,

functional performance is measured by a battery of tests and

questionnaires.

CTRAL facilities at Research Park - Clinical research unit with 9 beds and 3RN’s

- Large function area: body composition, bone density,

endurance and strength, and cognition testing.

Workout area.

- Mass Spectroscopy and blood / tissue processing Lab

Types of research projects Diseased populations:

Observational and human clinical trials in

- Cancer

- COPD

- Chronic Heart failure

- Obstructive Sleep Apnea

- Mild Cognitive Impairment and Dementia

- Autism

Healthy population:

- Older adults: 10 days of bedrest and nutrition

intervention

- Morbid obese: Effect bariatric surgery

- Methionine toxicity

Human Clinical Research Facility New building (12 bed, 23,000 sqrt)

Groundbreaking Jan 21, 2016.

Houses CTRAL and ESNL

CENTER FOR HEALTH

SYSTEMS & DESIGN

DO Older People Need Nature?

o OUTDOOR USAGE/ PREFERENCES: Survey, Interview, Focus group, Photographic comparison

o HEALTH BENEFITS: Anxiety, Cortisol level, Positive and Negative Mood after being outdoors

Environment Influences Usage

o Multiregional study confirmed most important features

o Shade, seating, walkways, and doorways often poorly-designed, discouraging outdoor usage

Translate Research to Design

o “Access to Nature” video series (www.accesstonature.org)

o Seniors Outdoor Survey (SOS Tool) validated (The Gerontologist, 2014)

Susan Rodiek, Ph.D.

Design-Based

Research:

The Value of

Nature for

Older Adults

Photos courtesy of the Norwegian Center for Dementia Research and Nishino Hospital, Kitakyushu, Japan

CENTER FOR HEALTH

SYSTEMS & DESIGN

SOS Tool Goals o Designed to evaluate how well outdoor

spaces at long-term care facilities support aging residents

o Addresses both therapeutic and psychosocial needs

o Uses as a design and decision-making tool

Structure & Development

o 60 ratable items on a seven-point scale o Organized into Five Literature-Based Domains o Affordance theory based o Differential weighting emphasizes greater

effects of some items. o Intuitive 100-Base scoring system

Testing Scoring & Translations o Validity: Items supported by resident

preferences and subject matter experts, and associated with walking and outdoor activity outcomes

o Reliability: Inter-Rater =.91, Test-Retest= .92 o Translations in Italian, Japanese, Mandarin

Eric Bardenhagen, Ph.D.

Assessing Successful Spaces with the SOS Tool

(Seniors Outdoor Survey)

Giulio Senes

Photos Courtesy of Access to Nature

CENTER FOR HEALTH

SYSTEMS & DESIGN

“Aging in Place” means healthcare elsewhere

o Most people want to (and will) “age in place”

o Gardens in HCFs must accommodate everyone

“Design for the Most Vulnerable”

o Key HC design tenet o Often includes the elderly o “Universal Design” – Design for

all abilities

Design Examples o Safety; Comfort; “Escape”; Nature

Distraction; Exercise; Social Support o Easy physical & visual access; safe &

comfortable seating; choice of sun or shade.

Naomi A. Sachs, PhD(c)

Healthcare Design with

Aging in Mind

δ β

Υ α

α

β

β1

Dystrophin

Dystrophin

Glycoprotein

Complex Caveolin-3

α1

F-actin

Laminin

John Lawler, Redox Biology Lab

Ang II Growth

Factors

Nox-2

ROS Protein turnover, auto(mito)phagy

nNOS

SS-31

ET

muscle atrophy, cardiac remodeling

gp91 ds-tat, HMB

nNOSµ,

dystrophin

transfection

ET CR

aging

Losartan

ET

ROS

cytokines

fibrosis

ET, gene Tg HSPs

Aox enzymes

SIRT-1/PGC-1

ET

ECM (Collagen/Fibronectin) ET = Exercise Training