Audience listens to speaker in Hillman (Alan Zhou | Student Life)

Washington University’s Harvey A. Friedman Center for Aging hosted its fifth annual Crash Course in Aging event in Hillman Hall on Monday, Oct. 16. 

The crash course aimed to provide information about how to increase longevity in aging populations. Each speaker was limited to a five-minute speech and 20 powerpoint slides. There were eight speakers in total, and they covered multiple facets related to the topic, including the power of creativity and the versatility of neurons, both of which can play a role in increasing a person’s longevity.

Liz Pollina, the third speaker and an Assistant Professor of Developmental Biology at WashU, explained the ability of neurons to adapt to stimuli overtime, a concept known as neural plasticity. 

“My lab identified a new protein complex in neurons that is very important in protecting against DNA damage. [This finding] helps us to answer the question of how we can identify and harness new mechanisms that maintain plasticity with age and then use these mechanisms to rejuvenate the nervous system,” explained Pollina. 

Ann Marie Mohr, another speaker and a drama professor at WashU, spoke about her background in improvisational techniques and the benefits of creativity in increasing longevity. She is also the founder of Project Present, an organization that offers improvisation and training sessions for patients with Alzheimer’s or other dementias and their families.   

“I want to stress that improv has tremendous benefits for folks living with Alzheimer’s or dementia because it brings people together to joyfully collaborate,” said Mohr.    

The event also highlighted the dangers that ageism poses to society. Natalie Galucia, Manager of Operations for the Harvey A. Friedman Center for Aging, spoke about reframing the story that is commonly told about aging. 

“Ageism is discrimination against your future and past self,” said Galucia. 

The Center for Aging partnered with a variety of local organizations to supplement the information in the crash course. One such organization was the Wisdom Cafe at Delmar DivINe, which features programming for older adults living in or around the West End. It was founded in March of 2023 and has already seen success.   

Shaniqua Jones, Volunteer and Community Coordinator for the Wisdom Cafe, said, “We are serving Black and brown people in the West End community that have never been served before. They’re coming together. They are learning and are really having their lives transformed and changed by this program.”

The event concluded by emphasizing the power of joy in increasing a person’s lifespan and overall health. 

“Seek joy over happiness; happiness includes an external factor, but joy comes from within,” Galucia said.