Dr Rosiered Brownson-Smith Represents TwinsUK at the LARN Symposium

27th November 2025 – by Dr Rosiered Brownson-Smith

A couple of weeks ago, Dr Rosiered Brownson-Smith, Postdoctoral Research Associate on the PROSPECT Project working across nutritional sciences and the Twins Department, attended the London Ageing Research Network (LARN) Symposium at the Francis Crick Institute. The event brought together leading figures in ageing research to share emerging findings, discuss upcoming projects, and strengthen collaboration across the field. Highlights included a keynote from Steve Horvath, who explored the current frontiers of epigenetic clocks; talks from Linda Partridge on geroprotective drugs and Georgina Ellison-Hughes on cellular senescence in the heart; invited presentations from early-career researchers; poster and flash talks; and contributions from DTR colleagues, including Professor Claire Steves on dynamic resilience and Chiara Herzog on what the epigenome remembers. David Weinkove also delivered an insightful session on translating ageing research into practice.

Dr Brownson-Smith presented Healthspan Connect, a new Programme of Research based at the Department of Twin Research that will lead multiple sub-studies investigating how biological, social and environmental factors influence healthy ageing and resilience. With recruitment due to begin in spring 2026, the symposium provided an invaluable chance to share the programme with world leaders in the field and build important collaborations to support its development.

Reflecting on the event, Rosiered said: “The London Ageing Research Network Symposium was an incredible and inspiring event that brought together ageing researchers from all associated disciplines, and at all career stages. It was a wonderful opportunity to present Healthspan Connect and gain insight from such an esteemed group of scientists. I am very much looking forward to the event again next year.”