McMaster Institute for Research on Aging (MIRA)

The 2025 MIRA and Labarge Knowledge Exchange will be held on December 4 at @mcmasteruniversity.bsky.social's The Hub.

Join us for a day of knowledge sharing and connection with McMaster’s interdisciplinary aging research community.

To register: lnkd.in/gre2J9QD

To read more: lnkd.in/guVNq5Ru

We’re taking this show on the road! Catch @miramcmaster.bsky.social and @clsa-elcv.bsky.social at our booth in the exhibit hall at #CAG2025 in beautiful Montreal!

MIRA is excited to welcome AGE-WELL, as a strategic partner in advancing Voice Canada, connecting older adults, caregivers, and researchers nationally and globally.
For the full story: mira.mcmaster.ca/news-events/...

This International Day of Older Persons (#IDOP), we celebrate the important contributions of older adults!

On Sep 19, MIRA marked the occasion with Mac engAGE, welcoming older adults to campus for a day of connection, exploration and learning

Full story: mira.mcmaster.ca/news-events/...

Thank you to everyone who joined us at the Phoenix on Wednesday for the annual Trainee Summer Social!

The afternoon offered a great opportunity for fellow aging research trainees to connect and enjoy lunch.

Learn more about the MIRA Trainee Network: mira.mcmaster.ca/education-tr...

Last month, MIRA Trainee Network hosted a Grant and Scholarship Writing Workshop, supporting trainees of all levels with expert tips for crafting compelling funding applications 📝

Full story: mira.mcmaster.ca/news-events/...

#MemberMonday Welcome Dr. Marek Smieja, as a new MIRA member!

Dr. Smieja's research explores infectious disease diagnostics and the links between chronic infections, cardiovascular disease, and HIV.

Profile: mira.mcmaster.ca/our-faculty/...

MIRA member Dr. Harsha Shanthanna is helping to shift how we think about chronic pain and aging. A pain physician and professor, he has been a key investigator and supervisor on several MIRA funded-projects.

🔗 healthsci.mcmaster.ca/office-hours...

#MemberMonday Welcome Dr. Louise Lafortune, Associate Professor, as a new MIRA member!

Dr. Lafortune leads research on the Aging Brain initiative, focusing on cognitive health, equity, and interventions that support healthy engaged aging.

Profile: mira.mcmaster.ca/our-faculty/...

Join us for our next Trainee Talks on July 24 for the same engaging event with a new location at Mills Memorial Library in the McMaster Health Forum Breakout Space!

Register for an afternoon of networking and presentations on aging research: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

Using machine learning to predict fracture risk in older adults PhD student Edward Chu is exploring an approach to more accurately predict fracture risk for people with osteoporosis.

Highlighting MIRA trainee Edward Chu, recipient of the 2025 Labarge Mobility PhD Scholarship for his recent feature in Brighter World! Edward's research is using AI to help predict features in older adults with osteoporosis.
Full story: brighterworld.mcmaster.ca/articles/usi...

Congrats MIRA member Dr. Chi-Ling Joanna Sinn, Ashlynn Hill (Indwell RCF Manager) and team on receiving a CIHR Catalyst Grant examining the inequalities in Hamilton's residential care facilities (RCF) and advocating for policy change.

Full story: mira.mcmaster.ca/news-events/...

Just in time for Senior’s Month, we are so proud to announce the release of the 2024 MIRA and Labarge Annual Report.

Discover highlights from the past year as MIRA continues to drive innovation and impact in aging research both locally and globally.

Full report: mira.mcmaster.ca/news-events/...

Welcome Dr. Dongdong Wang, Faculty of Health Sciences, as a new MIRA member!

Dr. Wang's research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of aging and metabolic diseases , leveraging multi-omics and machine/deep learning AI.

Full profile: mira.mcmaster.ca/our-faculty/...

Join us for a hybrid talk on how older adults engage with digital life, digital-skill building and the societal expectations of aging in a digital world. MIRA & Gilbrea welcome Dr. Viivi Korpela from the Uni of Jyväskylä for this exciting event.

Register: mcmaster.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

The next MIRA | Dixon Hall Snacks & Science event explores women and stroke with Drs. Ada Tang and Kevin Moncion.

Can't attend in person? Register for a virtual session on the topic via The McMaster Optimal Aging Portal on June 4 at 7PM EDT.

alumlc.org/mcmaster/454...

The recording of the inaugural Suzanne Labarge Lecture in Aging with Dr. Stephen Lord is now live! Watch "Steady, Safe and Savvy: New technologies for fall prevention as we age" and visit the full recap with exclusive photos. 

Full story & recording: mira.mcmaster.ca/news-events/...

Welcome Dr. Swati Mishra, Faculty of Engineering, as a new MIRA member!

Dr. Mishra's research focuses on human-centered AI systems to support early diagnosis of neurological disorders and improve mental health care for Canada's aging population.

Full profile: mira.mcmaster.ca/our-faculty/...

Daily composition of time spent in physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and sleep can impact quality of life in older Canadians - Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP) April 2025 Author: Shawn Hakimi PhD, McMaster Institute for Research on Aging, McMaster University Reference: Shawn Hakimi, Luc J. Martin, and Mark W. Rosenberg. 2025. A compositional analysis of t...

Congrats to Shawn Hakimi and team—Drs.
Marla Beauchamp, Stuart Phillips & Rong Zheng on their KT article with CSEP!

Supported by a 2024 MIRA postdoc fellowship, Shawn explores how movement, rest & sleep shape mobility in older adults.

csep.ca/2025/04/14/d...

As measles outbreaks grow, doctors are on the lookout for rare but serious complications | CBC News As measles outbreaks in Canada grow and spread between provinces, pediatricians are again recommending vaccinations while also bracing for serious complications, including a rare, long-term neurologic...

In this feature of CBC news, immunologist and MIRA member Dr. Dawn Bowdish @msmacrophage.bsky.social shares insight on the rising risk of measles.

Full story: www.cbc.ca/news/health/...

Welcome Dr. Rodrigo Narro Pérez of the School of Earth, Environment and Society as a new MIRA member!

Dr. Pérez's research explores the diasporic experiences of Latin American seniors in Hamilton through storytelling and community partnerships.

Full profile: mira.mcmaster.ca/our-faculty/...

Last week, MIRA welcomed 180+ attendees to the inaugural Suzanne Labarge Lecture in Aging series, featuring renowned expert Dr. Stephen Lord on fall prevention, presentations supported by MIRA Catalyst Grants, and dynamic discussions between trainees, researchers & older adults.

Congratulations to MIRA member Jennifer Walker, PI of this incredible team developing culturally safe, trauma-informed dementia assessment tools tailored to the unique needs of Indigenous communities.

Full story: mira.mcmaster.ca/news-events/...

Welcome Dr. Vickas Khanna of the Department of Surgery as a new MIRA member!

Dr. Khanna's clinical interests include hip and knee replacement surgery, osteoarthritis and leveraging technology in surgery improving outcomes for older adults.

Full profile: mira.mcmaster.ca/our-faculty/...

You’re invited to the Suzanne Labarge Lecture in Aging on April 14 at McMaster Innovation Park!

Join Dr. Stephen Lord, a global leader in fall prevention exploring emerging technologies and mobility assessments in mitigating fall risk among older adults.

Register: ow.ly/OC4a50Vb39p

Join us March 7th 2025 from 3 - 4:30 PM for the continuation of our Sage Conversations series! Dr. Susan Dudley will give us all the dirt on how plants make friends (and foe!) followed by a tour of the new McMaster Biology Greenhouse 🌱

For registration: www.eventbrite.ca/e/sage-conve...