Inspire Longevity
The Student Ambassador Program
Would you like to be a prolific academic, pharmaceutical company executive, longevity physician, entrepreneur, or a government official? At ARDD you will be able to meet them in person or virtually, watch their presentations, and ask questions. It is also a great opportunity to present yourself and show initiative, ambition, and skill. And you can also meet your fellow students who have similar ambitions and questions to form long-lasting friendships and support groups.

To help nurture the next generation of biogerontologists from the very early years we are piloting the Student Ambassador Program called "Inspire Longevity".

Becoming a student ambassador for the ARDD Meeting is an excellent opportunity for students to meet with the leading academic and industrial researchers and practitioners in the area of Aging and Drug Discovery. The student ambassador program is also an excellent way of interacting with other students from all over the world and enjoy the ARDD sessions together.

Responsibilities
  • Working as a team during the conference preparation period
  • Social Media Marketing
  • Interviews with the speakers
Benefits
Free registration for the main meeting and / or conference workshops
A great opportunity to meet and talk about the research or your interests with academic and industrial researchers, as well as practitioners.
How do I become
a Student Ambassador
This year we are already set and excited to welcome our student ambassadors to the team. Next year the submission for the Student Ambassadors team will open in late March 2024, subscribe to our news or social networks and stay tuned!
Profiles of Coordinators ARDD 2024
  • Andrea Olsen
    I am an aspiring neurobiologist, interested in incorporating ageing research into my future career. What interests me most is how everyday lifestyle changes that increase longevity, such as intermittent fasting and increased movement affect our brain. During my internship at Insilico Medicine, I investigated the difference between paediatric and adult Glioblastoma Multiforme and therefore became interested in the differences between diseases in children and adults, which significantly affect brain function and speed up ageing processes.
  • Zachary Harpaz
    I'm Zachary Harpaz, a 16 year old student at Pine Crest School in Florida. I am passionate about applying computer science and AI in ways that can impact the world. Currently, I am taking part in a research study that compares adult vs
    pediatric Glioblastoma. Beyond this, I am also working on a project that utilizes Artificial Intelligence to predict media bias and identify fake news. It is amazing to have the opportunity to apply my interests towards big problems that impact society.
  • Nina Khera
    I'm a teenager who is interested in preventing brain aging-related diseases. I have worked with both companies such as Alio Medical, Lygenesis, and Rubedo Life Sciences and labs such as the Gladyshev and Adams labs on data science and biology-based projects. I am also currently working on a startup, Biotein, that has raised $65,000 to increase access to tools to prevent aging-related diseases (bioteinresearch.ca).
  • Harsehaj Dhami
    I'm Harsehaj, a 17 year old machine learning researcher. I am highly interested in the intersections between health and technology as well as improving accessibility for all. Currently, I am building a depression diagnosis model that analyzes EEG data.
  • Lydia Chernyavskaya
    I am a 16 year old student at Sevenoaks School in the UK. My interest lies in the application of mathematical modelling and statistics in longevity research. I am also interested in private equity and venture capital, so I would like to get involved with investment in the longevity industry. I have had experience in insurance where I learned how to use probability and statistics in finance, so I would like to apply this knowledge in the longevity industry. Currently I am working on an essay on generative AI in drug research, and I have previously published articles on mathematical modelling and venture capital.
  • Mishal Damji
    I’m Mishal Damji, an 18-year-old from the Bay Area, California. After an internship with a longevity start up, I became extremely interested in the everyday interventions and changes that individuals can make to increase their healthspan and lifespan. Due to this interest, I would like to pursue a career at the intersection of longevity and medicine, preferably as a physician or researcher.
INSPIRE LONGEVITY PHOTOS
Choosing a Career in Aging Research and Longevity Medicine
Aging research is perhaps the most promising area of biotechnology as it may help create more of the most precious asset of any living being - more time in the healthy state. It is also the most complex and multifactorial biological process that holds many mysteries waiting to be uncovered. Why do some species live longer than others? Why do some people live longer than others? Why do we after we reach a certain age start losing many functions, decline, and die? Can we slow down or stop some, or all, of these degenerative processes? Can we track aging and correct the pathological processes before they turn into diseases? How far can we push the limits of our body functions with diet, sleep, and exercise? Can we do it with pharmacological interventions, regenerative medicine, gene therapy, nanotechnology? There are thousands of questions waiting to be answered and every answer is a rewarding experience.

Aging research is also one of the most altruistic endeavors anyone could undertake. A great doctor may see ten thousand patients during their lifetime and help them gain additional ten years of quality life each. That is one million years of quality life. If you find a way to cheaply add just one year of quality life for everyone on the planet, you generate almost eight billion quality life years. Your research may also be used in other highly-impactful areas of human development including space exploration and colonization. We need new technologies to ensure that people can live longer and survive in diverse environments.

In general, research papers in the biology of aging are cited more often than in many areas of basic science, and result in broader media coverage and public attention. With training in aging research, it is also possible to pursue a career in the pharmaceutical industry or medical practice resulting in higher income. The venture capitalists realize the explosive potential of this emerging industry and will be funding more and more companies in this space resulting in shortage of qualified labor. And massive convergence of aging research with other areas of science like artificial intelligence and robotics, will result in even more jobs requiring deep knowledge of aging and longevity.

Since aging research is such a broad field, there are hundreds of alternative career paths to pursue for a highschool or an undergraduate student. The ARDD conference and the community around it provides a perfect platform to understand this field better, meet the top thought leaders in academia, industry, and venture capital all in one place.

It presents a unique opportunity to explore your academic, industry, or clinical career by learning from the top people in almost every area of aging research, meeting the founders of different startup companies and venture capitalists who think about how the industry is going to evolve in the future.
Want to be a part of the Student Ambassador Program?
Letter of recommendation from teacher/internship/job
Resume
Diversity, Inclusion, Balance

At ARDD we are committed to equal opportunity, diversity, inclusion, and neutrality. We welcome all genders, races, and beliefs (even though we do believe in scientific evidence)