Three Pepper Scholars will be representing the Pepper Center and Institute on Aging in the Spotlight on UF’s Young Scholars at the Institute for Learning in Retirement of Oak Hammock. Taking place on Tuesdays in July at 10 am in the Oak Room (and Zoom) through the beginning of August, the series highlights young researchers tackling big questions in their fields. Dr. Larissa Strath will be kicking off the series on July 7.
July 7: Pain and Aging – A Nutritional Perspective
Speaker: Larissa Strath, Ph.D., Pepper Scholar, Department of Health Outcomes and Biomedical Informatics, College of Medicine, UF
Facilitator: Henri Logan
Can your food make you hurt more? Join Dr. Larissa Strath to discuss the latest research on how the food we eat contributes to our pain and accelerates our aging!
July 21: Aging Strong: How Hormones, Muscle, and Medicine Shape Independence
Speaker: Aditya Shirali, MD, Pepper Scholar, Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, UF
Facilitator: Henri Logan
This talk will explore how hormones and muscle health affect aging, how to recognize when something may be treatable (not just ‘normal aging’), and what practical steps you can take to stay active, strong, and independent.
July 28: Nutrition for Musculoskeletal Health in Older Adults
Speaker: Cora Best, Ph.D., Pepper Scholar, Department of Human Nutrition, IFAS, UF
Facilitator: Henri Logan
This session will explore how nutrition supports bone and muscle health across the life span, with a focus on preventing age‑related bone loss and maintaining strength in later life. We’ll discuss key nutrients, dietary patterns, and new findings from UF research on healthy aging.
Please see the Institute for Learning in Retirement Summer 2026 Bulletin for the full schedule.
The Institute for Learning in Retirement, or ILR, is a vibrant community of retirement-age members who are engaged in lifelong learning, personal fulfillment and continuing education through participation in a variety of courses, programs and activities. Peer learning is at the heart of the ILR concept. Personal fulfillment is the primary goal. Self-motivated adults who wish to enhance their own educational experiences can achieve these aspirations through ILR programs in a relaxed collegiate atmosphere. The only requirements are a desire to learn and actively participate in a flexible, non-competitive environment.