Events

As part of the Centre on Aging's outreach to the community, the Centre hosts a Speaker Series, which gives our Research Affiliates an opportunity to share insights into their academic research in aging related fields and discuss current issues. A goal of this series is to strengthen interdisciplinary research in health and aging.

The Speaker Series takes place online via Zoom. It is free to attend and all are welcome, but registration is required to join the sessions.

The Centre on Aging does not permit the use of AI transcription or any recordings for the Speaker Series or Research in Aging Workshop Series. If you require AI for accommodation, please contact coaman@umanitoba.ca at least two days before the event.

Join us for our next presentation

November 20, 2026 | 1:30 – 3:30 PM (Manitoba time) | via Zoom
Student awards event and presentations

Register for November 20

Join us for a joint meeting of the Centre on Aging and Students Targeting Aging Research (STAR) group. On November 20, we will announce the students in aging award recipients.

Each recipient will give a brief presentation on their research. Following the announcements, STAR members will briefly present their own aging related research.
Come out and support our students! All are welcome to attend but registration is required.

Upcoming presentations

November 12, 2026 | 10:00 AM (Manitoba time) | via Zoom
Introduction to Voice Canada for older adults and other community members
Michelle Porter, PhD and Nicole Dunn, MA
Visit the Voice Canada web page for more information and to register. 

November 25, 2026 | 2:30–3:30  PM  (Manitoba time) | via Zoom
AI-aging data: How statisticians study health changes over time
Dr. Depeng Jiang
Professor, College of Community and Global Health, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences
Download poster (PDF)

Register for November 25

The Manitoba Follow-Up Study -- Canada’s longest-running health research project --has tracked participants for more than 78 years, including research on aging and health changes. In longitudinal aging studies, traditional statistics often struggle with complex, shifting patterns over time. This talk introduces advanced methods for analyzing long-term health data, including mixed models, trajectory modeling, and models that connect health measures with survival outcomes. It will also share highlights from student thesis work on dementia, frailty, and functional change using Manitoba Follow-Up Study data.

Winter term presentations

January 12, 2027 | 2:30–3:30 PM  (Manitoba time) | via Zoom
Why oral health belongs in Long-Term Care: Lessons from Manitoba Personal Care Homes
Dr. Anil Menon, FRSPH, FRCD(C)
Division Head of Dental Public Health and Community Dentistry; Assistant professor, Preventive Dental Science, Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry,  Rady Faculty of Health Sciences
Download poster (PDF)

Register for January 12

Oral health problems are common among older adults living in long-term care, yet access to preventive and clinical dental services remains limited. Drawing on research and care experiences from Manitoba personal care homes, this presentation will explore the oral health needs of residents, the barriers faced by families and care teams, and the consequences of leaving these needs unmet. Dr. Menon will discuss practical approaches to screening, prevention, referral, and the delivery of dental care using portable equipment. The presentation will also consider how oral health can become a more consistent part of person-centred long-term care.

March 5, 2027 | 2:30–3:30 PM (Manitoba time) | via Zoom
Why are older adults less likely to use mental health services than younger adults?
Corey Mackenzie, Ph.D., C. Psych., Clinical Psychologist; Professor, Department of Psychology; Adjunct Professor, Department of Psychiatry; Research Affiliate, Centre on Aging
Download poster (PDF)

Register for March 5

Mental health tends to improve with age. However, when older adults experience significant mental health problems, they are the least likely age group to seek professional help. This talk will review common barriers to help-seeking in later life.

Completed presentations 2026–2027

October 28, 2026
Epigenetic age as a tool to study the impacts of environments across the lifespan 
Dr. Meaghan J Jones, Associate Professor, Dept. of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences

Past Speaker Series presentations

Thank you to all our 2025–2026 speakers. Check the listings for the updated presenters who will present in the upcoming term.

Online presentations

Meetings will be hosted via Zoom and registration is required to participate. Registration details will be made available closer to presentation dates.

For members of the Students Targeting Aging Research (STAR) group, the workshops can be counted towards your co-curricular record.

2026–2027 Research in Aging workshops

The Centre on Aging does not permit the use of AI transcription or any recordings for the Speaker Series or Research in Aging Workshop Series. If you require AI for accommodation, please contact coaman@umanitoba.ca at least two days before the event.

Introduction to accessing Statistics Canada’s data
December 3, 2026 | 11:30 AM–12:30 PM (Manitoba time) | via Zoom
Ian Clara, Ph.D., Research Analyst, Manitoba Research Data Centre
Download poster (PDF)

Register for December 3

The Manitoba Research Data Centre houses Statistics Canada’s de-identified microdata for academic researchers to access and utilize for their academic work. This presentation will highlight the various types of data that can be accessed through the Manitoba RDC, how to apply for access to the data, and funding and academic opportunities offered by the Manitoba RDC. The virtualization of data access will be highlighted.

Upcoming workshops

Navigating RITHIM for research involving older adults: Determining when and where approvals are required
January 19, 2027 | 11:30 AM—12:30 PM  (Manitoba time) | via Zoom
Elizabeth Lylyk, Director RITHIM
Download poster (PDF)

Register for January 19

Researchers working with older adults often conduct studies across a variety of settings, including community-based programs, home care, personal care homes, long-term care facilities, and health care institutions. This session will provide practical guidance on determining when research falls within RITHIM's jurisdiction, when applications should be submitted to RITHIM versus an institutional REB, and how personal health information and research setting influence approval pathways. Using examples relevant to aging research, the session will highlight common scenarios, approval requirements, and key considerations for researchers planning studies involving older adults across the continuum of care.

The Protection for Persons in Care Office
February 2, 2027 | 11:30 AM–12:30 PM (Manitoba time) | via Zoom
Ifeoma Rita Ikezahu, Education and Outreach Specialist, Protection for Persons in Care Office (PPCO), Ministry of Seniors and Long-Term Care, Government of Manitoba
Download poster (PDF)

Register for February 2

This session provides an overview of Manitoba's Protection for Persons in Care Act (PPCA) and the role of the Protection for Persons in Care Office (PPCO). Participants will learn about the purpose of the Act, what constitutes abuse and neglect under the legislation, who has a reporting obligation, when and how to report, and what happens after a report is made. The presentation will clarify reporting processes, review key definitions, and discuss practical approaches to promote safety, awareness and compliance within personal care homes and health care settings. Time will be included for questions and discussion of operational scenarios.

Learning objectives:

• Understand the mandate of PPCO and the purpose of the PPCA
• Identify what must be reported and who is required to report
• Understand the reporting process and investigation overview

The A-B-C’s of presenting and designing research posters
March 8, 2027 | 10:30 AM–12:00 PM | via Zoom
Nicole Dunn, MA, Associate Director, Centre on Aging
Rachel Ines, BA, Dipl.(Hons.), Administration and Communications Coordinator, Centre on Aging
Lovleen Mathode, Graduate student, Department of Psychology
Download poster (PDF)

Register for March 8

This workshop will cover what goes in a research poster, how to design one, and how to handle the oral presentation component. This is a helpful session if you plan to have a poster in the Centre on Aging’s Annual Spring Research Symposium or other upcoming conferences.

Centre staff, Nicole Dunn and Rachel Ines will walk you through everything you need to know to prepare for a research poster presentation. Lovleen Mathode will share her student perspective and experience of presenting a conference poster.

Aging and EDIA in research grants
June 2, 2027 | 10:00–11:00 AM | via Zoom
Stephanie Frakes, PhD, EDIA Research Advisor, Office of the V.P. (Research and International)
Download poster (PDF)

Register for June 2

EDIA (Ethics, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility) has become an essential component in many Tri-Agency funding applications, and writing effective EDIA content for them requires understanding the key concepts of EDI in Research Design and Research Practice. This presentation will provide an overview of how to incorporate inclusion into the planning stages of a research project (EDI in Research Design), and how to integrate best practices while hiring a research team and working together collaboratively to execute the project (EDI in Research Practice). An aging lens will then be used to introduce specific best practices that remove barriers to participation, increase accessibility, and promote the inclusion of older persons in research activities. Understanding these concepts and practical applications will help those on both sides of the research grant process develop effective and meaningful EDIA material in their proposals as well as identify quality EDIA content during application review and adjudication. 

Past workshops 2025–2026