Interviewed by Ashwin Kotwal.

About Ken’s Role/Ongoing Projects
Ken co-leads the Pepper Center with Dr. Mike Steinman. The Pepper Center provides a modest amount of funding to support advancements in aging research. It also helps strengthen geriatrics research within our division and throughout the university. Currently, the Pepper Center is in its 11th year. Another exciting project is a collaborative program with Mt. Sinai, focusing on broad policy and health issues in dementia. Ken often finds the projects brought by mentees to be among his favorites, as they involve developing and refining great ideas. Many of the projects are deeply rooted in the practical concerns of clinicians and educators, addressing critical issues in geriatrics. Their efforts are centered on supporting older individuals as they face the challenges of aging. While they aim to prevent some of the problems associated with aging, they also acknowledge its realities and strive to help people live their best lives.

His favorite aspect of his position is the people. He works with a group of people who are amazing - faculty, staff, and trainees. People are so committed to the mission of addressing the needs of older people. People have so many different talents and abilities. Louise and Karen are so good at identifying what people are good at and how they can progress in their careers to have an impact.

What is a professional goal you would like to accomplish by the end of this year?
Ken's professional goal for this year is to focus more on the crucial policy aspects of aging. Additionally, he aims to develop his skills in mentoring and leadership, as well as improve his listening skills—listening more and talking less.

More about Ken
What’s one “fun fact” about you that not many people know? (e.g., hidden talent)
Ken has an obscure hobby of playing bridge - he stopped for a while and is trying to pick it up again.

What is the best advice you've ever heard?
"Sometimes we spend too much time thinking about how to divide a pie when with a little work together we can all have a full pie. We can also take full credit together for successes."

What else would you like us to know about you?
Ken loves dogs, but cannot have his own dog due to allergies, so has become close to his sister's dog.

Interviewed by Ken Covinsky.

About Ashwin’s Role/Ongoing Projects
Ashwin is very excited about the project with Carla Perissinotto on peer support for individuals experiencing loneliness. He finds this project particularly thrilling because those involved are passionate and mission-driven, and he enjoys the interaction with policymakers. He is also eager to learn new methods, such as qualitative research and implementation research. Ashwin greatly enjoys working with mentees and trainees, learning a lot from them and finding it fun to help them develop their ideas and find creative ways to use national data sources. Issues of loneliness and isolation are problems that clinicians commonly encounter, especially since the pandemic, and there is significant interest in finding solutions. This area also serves as a great paradigm for breaking barriers between medical and social needs, which has been a major focus of the Division's work.

His favorite aspect of his position is the people in the division and the energy and enthusiasm they bring. He is constantly learning from his colleagues, which keeps things exciting and fun!

What is a professional goal you would like to accomplish by the end of this year?
Ashwin would love to see one of his grant applications funded! Securing a large grant would be a major milestone for him. However, his key focus is on taking his research to the next level and making a significant impact.

More about Ashwin
What’s one “fun fact” about you that not many people know? (e.g., hidden talent)
Ashwin plays the piano and saxophone. He recently brought them into the home and started playing again. His son, Dev, is also learning some tunes.

What are you happiest doing in your free time?
Ashwin is the happiest when he is outdoors.

What is the best advice you've ever heard?
"Not to be worried about who else is in your intellectual space, but embracing them as a community of collaborators."