Aging is complex. Over the last few years I have focused on the epidemiology of ageing, with the aim of getting a better understanding on how to address and consider the heterogeneity of older adults in different research questions, such as determining biomarkers reference values for older adults, and treating medical conditions such as arterial hypertension. I am currently focusing on the concepts of biological age and frailty, and contrasting them with respect to the characterization of heterogeneity among older adults as part of the Collaborative Research Center "Aging at Interfaces" at the Ulm University in Germany (https://www.uni-ulm.de/en/einrichtungen/sfb-1506-aging-at-interfaces/). The role of diverse biomarkers such as high sensitive Troponins, Brain Natriuretic Peptides, GDF-15 and Cystatin C, as risk predictors for cardiovascular events, aging related comorbidities (falls, fractures, cognitive dysfunction), frailty and mortality and the possible presence of effect modifiers for these associations are also relevant questions of interest. Additionally, evaluating strategies to prevent sedentary behavior and the onset of delirium in older adults in clinical trials has been an important area of research. As part of the European project JOIN4JOY, we developed an intervention to promote physical activity among nursing home patients (https://www.join4joy.eu/), as well as freely accessible teaching modules for therapist and trainers working with older adults in nursing homes (https://www.join4joy.eu/free-course/). As an epidemiologist and clinical investigator, I also offer advice on the development of appropriate research questions, the identification of the adequate study populations, and the most efficient study designs.

Examining the heterogeneity of aging requires an interdisciplinary approach. This has enabled me to work with, and grow alongside, highly supportive cooperation partners, both personally and professionally. Lastly, teaching and providing mentoring to doctoral and master's students has become an important way of raising awareness of the complexity of ageing research and equipping the next generation with the necessary analytical skills.

I graduated from medical school at the Ruprecht- Karls University of Heidelberg in Germany. I trained in Internal Medicine at Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia, and completed an academic fellowship in General Internal Medicine at Boston University Medical Center. I hold a PhD in Epidemiology from Boston University School of Public Health. I am currently a member of the Society of Epidemiologic research, the German Society of Epidemiology, the German Society of Internal Medicine, the German and European Geriatrics Society, and the German Society of Aging Research. Since January 2025 I am Co-Chair of the Special Interest Group on Frailty at the European Society of Geriatric Medicine focusing on strategies to improve screening, diagnosis and management of this condition in the clinical settings.