The Aspen Institute

Join us for the Society of Fellows Discussion Reception: The Latest on Longevity and Healthy Aging featuring Robert Waldinger, professor of psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, and director, Harvard Study of Adult Development, in conversation with Jylana Sheats, applied behavior scientist, and Civic Science Fellow, Science and Society Program, The Aspen Institute. The experts will discuss what it means to age gracefully and meaningfully, delving into the what the latest science teaches about longevity and living a healthy, fulfilled life.

PRESENTER BIOS

Robert Waldinger, M.D. is Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and directs the Harvard Study of Adult Development, one of the longest-running studies of adult life ever done. The Study tracked the lives of 724 men for over 80 years and now studies their Baby Boomer children to understand how childhood experience reaches across decades to affect health and wellbeing in adulthood. He directs a teaching program in psychotherapy at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, and he writes about what science can teach us about healthy human development. He is also a Zen master (roshi) and teaches meditation both in the US and internationally. His TED talk on lessons from the longest study of happiness has had over 40 million views and is one of the 10 most viewed TED talks of all time.

Jylana L. Sheats, Ph.D., M.P.H. is an applied behavior scientist and 2021-2023 Aspen Institute Science & Society Program Civic Science Fellow, where her efforts focus on public trust in science; global science; and the intersection of science and social justice. A “boundary-spanner,” she navigates across sectors providing strategic and tactical guidance and leadership on the science and design of health behavior change solutions. Dr. Sheats is an international speaker and thought leader, with an active faculty appointment at the University of California-Berkeley. Her work is documented via book chapters, peer-reviewed articles, and new media. Dr. Sheats’ ability to lead and address key healthcare and public health challenges is reflected in her multiple Johnson & Johnson “Inspire” Awards; and receiving a National Institutes of Health ‘Building Innovative Research Careers in Women’s Health’ career development award. Committed to volunteerism, Jylana is the founding National Chair of the international nonprofit, The Links, Incorporated’s, Black K.A.R.E. chronic kidney disease healthy equity initiative. She graduated from Spelman College, Tulane University School of Public Health & Tropical Medicine, and Indiana University-Bloomington, with a postdoctoral certificate in behavioral medicine from Stanford School of Medicine.