Penn at AAIC 2026
By Nicolette Calcavecchia
Penn researchers made a strong showing at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC) 2026, contributing workshops, presentations, and posters that highlighted advances across Alzheimer's disease and dementia research. Throughout the conference, the IOA, Penn Memory Center, and Penn FTD Center shared daily #PennatAAIC26 coverage, featuring the innovative work of our scientists spanning artificial intelligence, neuroimaging, genetics, biomarkers, brain atrophy, dementia care, health policy, and community engagement. Highlights included a workshop introducing the NiChart cloud platform for MRI analysis, research exploring the genetic and biological drivers of Alzheimer's disease, studies leveraging AI to improve diagnosis and caregiving, investigations into nursing home…
View Full Post
IOA Member Spotlight: Nancy Hodgson, PhD, RN, FAAN, FGSA - Advancing Dementia Care Through Compassion, Research, and Inclusion
By Nicolette Calcavecchia
Nancy Hodgson, PhD, RN, FAAN, FGSA
Claire M. Fagin Leadership Professor in Nursing
Nancy A. Hodgson, the Claire M. Fagin Leadership Professor in Nursing, is an internationally recognized nurse scientist whose work exemplifies the power of community-centered scholarship and mentorship. As department chair, Dr. Hodgson is widely recognized for fostering a culture of openness, collaboration, and inclusion. Through her mentorship, listening sessions, and intentional community-building efforts, she creates spaces where faculty, staff, and students feel heard, supported, and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives, continuing to strengthen the Penn Nursing community and advance compassionate, evidence-based care. Drawing on more than 30…
View Full Post
The 2026 Sylvan M. Cohen Annual Retreat
By Nicolette Calcavecchia
"Aging Brains, Aging Vessels"
The 2026 Sylvan M. Cohen Annual Retreat, hosted by the Institute on Aging in partnership with the Penn Cardiovascular Institute (Penn CVI) and the North American Artery Society (NAA), explored the important relationship between cardiovascular and brain health through the theme, “Aging Brains, Aging Vessels.” Held as a half-day extension of the 2026 NAA Conference, the retreat convened researchers and clinicians across aging, neurology, and vascular biology to examine how vascular health is linked to neurodegenerative disease and cognitive aging.
The program featured presentations on cerebral cavernous malformation as a brain-specific vascular disease, brain perfusion in…
View Full Post
Meet the Speakers of "Aging Brains, Aging Vessels"
By Nicolette Calcavecchia
"Aging Brains, Aging Vessels"
A Sylvan M. Cohen Annual Retreat and extension of the 2026 NAA Conference
Co-sponsored by the Penn Cardiovascular Institute and the North American Artery Society
May 8, 2026
12:00 - 5:00pm
Smilow Center for Translational Research, Rubenstein Auditorium and Lobby
and online
Learn more and view the full schedule here.
Register to attend
Meet the Speakers
Keynote Speaker:
Roxana Carare, MD, PhD
University of Southampton
Roxana Carare qualified in Medicine in Bucharest in 1994. During her basic clinical training, she became fascinated by anatomy and completed her PhD in neuropathology in 2006, in the University of…
View Full Post
Eddie Lee, MD, PhD named Director of CNDR
By Nicolette Calcavecchia
Congratulations to IOA Co-Director Eddie Lee, MD, PhD, on being named Director of the Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research (CNDR) at the University of Pennsylvania, following the leadership of Virginia M.-Y. Lee, PhD.
“Virginia is a generational inspiration. I have learned so much from her about science, how to approach leadership, and what it means to have an impact on the world,” says Dr. Lee. “Her work laid the foundation for the entire field of neurodegenerative diseases.”
In his new role as Director of CNDR, Dr. Lee will prioritize (1) enhancing pathology, biomarker, and genomic infrastructure, including digital…
View Full Post
