As we age, adrenal glands shift gear, making less DHEA/DHEAS & more cortisol (the “stress hormone”). Linked to dementia, osteoporosis & depression, could this be an ageing-related pathology? Our recently updated paper: doi.org/10.1007/s406... #Aging #Gerontology #Endocrinology #Geroscience

The International Consortium to Classify Ageing-Related Pathologies (ICCARP) is now on X. Follow our updates @ICCARP_org (x.com/ICCARP_org) #aging #ageing #longevity #geroscience #gerontology #healthyaging #agingresearch #ageingresearch

Monasteries & cathedrals with 1,500 years of history, and half-a-billion-year-old rock formations. After 5+ years in Cardiff, I finally visited West Wales. As I work on ageing and preservation, I have to wonder what it would take for lifespans to reach these timescales.

The Natural History Museum in London is a true cathedral of science. The architecture alone is breathtaking! The words on Darwin’s plinth capture its spirit perfectly: "Freedom of thought is best promoted by the gradual illuminations of men's minds, which follows the advance of science."

Wonderful reception at the US Embassy London to welcome this year's #Fulbright cohort. A highlight: meeting Prof. Pickersgill, a 1960 scholar to @rad-institute.bsky.social / @harvard.edu, who is still active in the community. Wishing all the Fulbrighters the very best on your journey!

The CryoDAO team is hard at work on the CryoRepository AI agent. 🧊🤖 Building the first ever central repository of all known CPAs (cryoprotective agents) and data on their mechanisms of action and limitations. More on the project: www.cryodao.org/project/cryo... #cryobiology #cryogenics

"Ageing Isn’t One Thing, It’s Many" -- Article from ICCARP coordinator, Gary Christopher, on the classification of senescence. #ageing #aging #senescence #healthyaging #longevity #agingresearch #gerontology www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-s...

🎓🎉One of the best parts of teaching is seeing students succeed. Proud to see my two BSc dissertation students, Kyle Walford & Ocean Hettiarachchi, graduate with First Class honours yesterday. Congratulations to the whole Class of 2025! #Graduation #CardiffMet #ClassOf2025 @cardiffmet.bsky.social

Facebook reminded me that 16 years ago I started my research career working on neural control systems for Mars rovers with @esa.int as an RA for Prof. Cangelosi & Dr Peniak. I couldn’t have hoped for better mentors! 📸 ESA Mars Yard 2010 #Throwback #ResearchLife #MarsRover #SpaceScience #ESA

🧏 New paper on ageing of the audiovestibular system from ICCARP. A global effort with 34 experts 🌍 We recommend removing presbycusis (AB54) as a standalone dx + using AB51 with severity codes. 🔗https://doi.org/10.1007/s11357-025-01742-2 #ageing #aging #senescence #gerontology #hearinghealth

Jacob Bronowski, one of my scientific heroes, was a founding member of @salkinstitute.bsky.social, so of course I had to visit while in San Diego. A reminder that science doesn’t exist in some Platonic realm, but is done by real, fallible humans. #JacobBronowski #TheAscentOfMan #SalkInstitute

Who needs BioRender when you have #MSPaint? www.cell.com/cell/abstrac...

AI is accelerating discovery in biomed, but progress is still limited by inaccessible data. Great discussions last night with @signerlab.bsky.social, Alexis Komor & Gene Yeo on this challenge in genetic medicine @ucsdstemcells.bsky.social We're tackling it for #cryobiology at @cryodao.bsky.social

Visiting UCSD this week to build new partnerships in AI for medicine & cybersecurity with the Halicioglu Data Science Institute & CSE as part of the @globalwales.bsky.social programme. Grateful for the warm welcome and discussions with faculty across campus! #AI #Medicine #Cybersecurity #UCSD

Congratulations to ICCARP colleague Dr Emma Short on the one-year anniversary of Healthy Gut, Happy You! 🎉 Here’s my copy. Congratulations, Emma, on producing such a clear, engaging, and accessible introduction to the microbiome. 🦠 #healthyguthappyyou #guthealth #healthygut #microbiome

Great talks today from the Cardiff Met Cell & Mol Path Group. Dr Kelly shared updates on the TransEuro fetal stem cell trial for Parkinson’s (in @natbiotech.nature.com), and Dr Webb presented new work on molecular responses to SARS-CoV-2. A lot of cool science from a small group. 🔗⬇️

Today the Eureka Robotics Centre visited the Paediatric Emergency Unit at the University Hospital of Wales. Excited to be working with Dr Jordan Evans & team to explore how robots can support staff & improve care for young patients. #Research #Robotics #Paediatrics #Pediatrics

Great to welcome a delegation of university leaders from Iraq's Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research to Cardiff Met. We shared our projects in robotics for biomed & health, and the work of the ICCARP to prepare health systems for an ageing population. #HigherEducation #Research #Iraq

Just spotted this on the WKRU site! Thank you! Excited to be working on the @researchwales.bsky.social Fellowship exploring kidney preservation technologies. www.kidneyresearchunit.wales/news?id=137

Great to host Prof. Leighton Phillips from @hywelddauhb.bsky.social at Cardiff Met! We shared research on biomed & health robotics, ICCARP, and organ preservation with MGH & University Hospital of Wales. Looking forward to future collaborations to drive medical innovation in Wales & the UK!

The Bioengineering Research Group will be offering a new #BiomedicalEngineering elective as part of the BEng/MEng in Electrical & Electronic Engineering at Cardiff Metropolitan University. www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/courses/unde... #bioengineering #medicaldevices #medicalimaging #bioinformatics

Happy birthday Sir David Attenborough Hon FRSB! Thank you for inspiring so many people to work in the biosciences. Watch his 2015 interview, where he talked about the increasingly important role biologists play in the 21st century: youtu.be/S9clK9k2ynM?...

One month into my @researchwales.bsky.social project on kidney preservation for transplantation. I’ve been observing clinics, organ procurement, transplantation surgeries & planning research to improve kidney transplantation in Wales. #KidneyResearch #OrganPreservation #Nephrology #Transplantation

Ulla! 👽 #TheWarofTheWorlds #WarofTheWorlds #JeffWayne

Spent four days immersed in the collections at the British Museum, from the dawn of civilisation in Mesopotamia through to the Enlightenment. There’s immense value in reflecting on the larger narrative that we’re all part of. Grateful to the museum their commitment to free access for all.

Grateful to have been invited to the Fulbright Forum for a discussion on US-Welsh ties in HE & research, and the role that Wales can play as a small nation in policy innovation. Honoured to be part of the Fulbright community & its work to strengthen transatlantic cooperation & mutual understanding.

Thank you HCRW for supporting my new research on preserving kidneys for transplantation! Grateful to WKRU, Prof. Fraser & Dr Khalid for their support. Excited to continuing working with MGH & Harvard to drive innovation in this area! healthandcareresearchwales.org/about/news/l... #Transplantation

🌎📍Map of some of the places our students in Cardiff call home. As an academic, I’m proud to be part of a truly international community. In an increasingly divided world, the pursuit of knowledge, truth, and progress unites us all 🤝 @taithwales.bsky.social @globalwales.bsky.social

🧀🐁⌛ This paper by Argentieri et al. in last month’s Nat. Med. analyses the relative contributions of genetics & environment to ageing, showing that environment explains 10x more variation in mortality than genetics alone: www.nature.com/articles/s41... ... (1/2)

🌍 Preparing for Global Week at Cardiff Metropolitan University

📄New GeroScience paper!🧬 Ageing research needs clear definitions! Our latest work with the ICCARP establishes consensus definitions for senescence - from cells to whole organisms - helping unify terminology. Lots of exciting progress ahead! #Ageing #Aging #Longevity #Senescence Link: rdcu.be/ebgCm

"To stumble one must be moving." George Heilmeier (of Heilmeier’s Catechism fame) reflecting on his development of LCDs. Innovation isn’t about waiting for inspiration. It’s about momentum. Experiment, fail, learn... Every breakthrough begins with a step, even if it’s in the wrong direction.

📄New policy brief on ageing! The ICCARP has submitted a brief to the @ukparliament.parliament.uk Science, Innovation & Technology Committee, highlighting the need to classify & stage ageing-related pathologies. Read our submission here: doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.28417670 #ageing #aging #longevity

🖥️ Fascinating AI time capsule from the BBC. Although computational power has grown & AI has shifted from symbolic approaches to the probabilistic ones of LLMs, it's incredible how much remains unchanged. Essential viewing for anyone working in the field. youtu.be/7Bb6yTPZrnA?... #AI #documentary

Paramount Studios' 1927 Map for International Shooting Locations. Visit Wales needs to update their marketing. 'Just like Southern California' has a nice ring to it.

Check out my latest article: Why We Must (at least try to) Quantify Good www.linkedin.com/pulse/why-we...

Witnessing the future of AI unfold! Eureka Centre researcher, Haolin, presenting his work on humanoid robots in healthcare yesterday. Transformers & LLMs are revolutionising robotics, and the impact on medicine & health in the coming decades will be dramatic. #Robotics #AI #MedTech #Medicine

Fantastic interview with Tom Fletcher on his new role as UN Humanitarian Chief. Particularly appreciated his reference to the Auschwitz scene from Bronowski's "The Ascent of Man" -- a masterpiece of science education. 🎥Bronowski clip: youtu.be/ltjI3BXKBgY

It's a common myth that all life expectancy gains come from reduced infant mortality. While that’s been key, survival has improved at all ages. Those born in 1970 have an annual death rate 11x lower than in 1800. That's an incredible achievement for science! #longevity #lifespan #heathspan #health

Last year, one of my goals was to improve my science communication & illustration skills. With the support of Adobe and Cardiff Metropolitan University, I’m excited to have been made an Adobe Education Institute Fellow. #ScienceCommunication #HigherEducation #ScienceIllustration #SciComms

Wishing everyone a happy and successful 2025! 🥳

🎄Last week, we enjoyed a Christmas dinner with the Cambridge Society of S.Wales at the elegant Cardiff & County Club. Highlights included chats on conservation & education with Sir Malcolm & Lady Pill, and the mining industry’s future with John Clarke. Thought-provoking & inspiring! #CambridgeAlumni

“The thing that separates the people that go on in science from those that don’t, comes down to how they deal with rejection, frustration, and failure.” -- Bill Schafer, my former PhD supervisor, in a recent interview. ... (1/3) www2.mrc-lmb.cam.ac.uk/life-at-the-...

🎉ICCARP 2024 Wrapped🎉 Thank you to everyone who contributed to International Consortium to Classify Ageing-Related Pathologies in 2024. The task of systematically classifying ageing-related pathologies is no small feat ... (1/2)

🎄 Merry Christmas from the Cardiff School of Technologies, Cardiff Metropolitan University!🎄

🌟 Defining Senescence 🌟 With 300+ experts working on the ICCARP, we discovered that terms related to ageing were used differently in different fields, causing misunderstandings at times. We’re now thrilled to announce the release of standard definitions for key terms in ageing 1/

On Monday, I am delighted to be hosting a special guest talk by Cennydd Bowles at CardiffMet and the Eureka Robotics Centre. This event is open to all staff & students. Please join us, either in person at the O1.01 Lecture Theatre (Llandaff Campus) or online. See you there! #AI #Ethics

Had a fantastic time at the US-UK Fulbright Debrief in London. I was inspired hearing about the Fulbrighters' journeys across numerous fields: ethics, surgery, immunology, linguistics, law, bioengineering, history, the arts & more. I shared my own experiences working in... (1/2)

At the University of Notre Dame in London for the US-UK Fulbright Commission Winter Debrief. Excited to hear about all the exciting work my fellow Fulbrighters have been up to!

Congratulations, Gary Christopher, on the well-deserved recognition for your work on the ICCARP! Thrilled to be working with you and the team in transforming clinical classifications to keep pace with ageing populations -- exciting times ahead! #Aging #Ageing #HealthAging #Longevity #Geroscience