Tell us about yourself in a paragraph or two: What is your name, and what are you studying? Where are you from? What was your dream job as a kid? What’s your favourite thing to do outside of school/work?
My name is Surim Son, and I’m a PhD candidate in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at Western University, with a strong interest in dementia prevention and healthy aging. Under the supervision of Dr. Mark Speechley and Dr. Manual Montero-Odasso, my research explores combinations of modifiable risk factors for dementia prevention and risk reduction in Canada.
Originally from South Korea, I have called several places home, including Niagara Falls, Toronto, and now London, Ontario. Growing up, I dreamed of becoming a forensic scientist and solving mysteries with the CIA or FBI. During my undergraduate studies, while volunteering at a long-term care facility, I realized my passion for improving the aging and dementia experience. Outside of school and work, I enjoy hot yoga, gardening, staying active, and exploring nature.
What interested you about the CLSA?
I learned about the CLSA during the first year of my Master’s at Brock University through my mentor and M.Sc. supervisor, Dr. Jian Liu. What initially interested me about the CLSA was the depth and comprehensiveness of the dataset. What excites me now about the CLSA is how my academic career has progressed in parallel with it–from working with baseline data for my Master’s to working with the first follow-up data for my PhD. I look forward to expanding my research and growing my academic career as the CLSA data collection continues.
What type of research are you doing with CLSA data? Have you published? If so, what are the findings (in lay terms)?
I conducted research estimating the dementia prevention potential in Canada, identifying the most prominent risk factors and the combinations of risk factors likely to reduce most dementia cases. The study, estimating that nearly 50% of dementia cases in Canada are associated with 12 modifiable risk factors, has been published in The Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease and is also available as a desk calendar called “12 ways to reduce your dementia risk.”
I am currently finalizing manuscripts that identify the combinations of risk factors responsible for both the highest prevalence and greatest impact on cognition. These studies suggest that the combination of physical inactivity and hearing loss is the most detrimental combination. The most dangerous trio of risk factors includes physical inactivity, hearing loss, and hypertension. When considering four factors, the combination of physical inactivity, hearing loss, hypertension, and sleep disturbance is the most harmful.
What is the most interesting or surprising thing you’ve learned from your work with the CLSA? How do you think the CLSA will help you grow as a student or in your future?
What has surprised me most about working with the CLSA is the large sample size and comprehensiveness of the dataset, allowing me to analyze data from different life stages. This life-course approach has provided me a unique opportunity to capture the distribution of dementia risk factors across different life stages and understand how their association with cognition changes over the lifespan. As I continue my academic journey, the CLSA will help to further refine my analytical skills, just as it has throughout my research so far.
How do you think the findings using CLSA data will be useful to you, or others, in the future?
The findings from CLSA data will be useful in advancing and refining dementia prevention strategies and research. For instance, the results of my study identifying the most prominent dementia risk factors that should be prioritized in the Canadian population will help tailor interventions for clinical trials as well as at the population level. With future follow-ups, data linkages, and neuroimaging data, the CLSA will provide deeper insights into cognitive resilience and understand the mechanisms underlying cognitive decline.
Do you have any idea about what kind of job you’d like to do when you finish school?
I am interested in pursuing postdoctoral studies where I can expand my expertise in cognitive resilience, within the context of dementia prevention and risk reduction. My goal is to become an expert in this field and collaborate with clinicians and policymakers to help translate research into actionable public health strategies. I am currently exploring postdoctoral opportunities that can guide me towards these goals.
What is a non-career related thing that you are grateful for because of your work with the CLSA?
While distributing the dementia calendar I created, I had the opportunity to engage with participants. The interactions and positive feedback I received were truly rewarding, as I was able to motivate participants to adopt healthier lifestyles and make positive changes for their well-being and brain health. This experience not only strengthened my passion but also reinforced the importance of empowering individuals to make informed choices for their well-being.
