Understanding Aging: From Cells to Society

UNAM’s Institute of Cellular Physiology (IFC) hosted the symposium From Cell to Society: Biopsychosocial Processes in Human Aging. A Call to Explore, Share, and Study, marking an important milestone in the University’s academic commitment to addressing a pressing issue at both national and global levels: aging and old age.

The event highlighted the need for interdisciplinary spaces where biological, psychological, social, and cultural perspectives can converge to deepen understanding of the human aging process.

Participants emphasized that understanding aging as a multifaceted process, shaped by biological, psychological, social, and cultural factors, enables researchers to move beyond isolated disciplinary approaches. This broader perspective fosters the development of collaborative networks that support integrated, cross-disciplinary research.

María Soledad Funes Argüello, Coordinator of Scientific Research at UNAM, stated that the symposium reflects what the University can achieve when it moves beyond disciplinary boundaries and builds spaces for shared knowledge.

The event was organized jointly by the University Seminar on Aging and Old Age (SUIEV), the IFC, the Institute for Social Research (IIS), and the College of Psychology, with additional support from the Office for Institutional Development (SDI), the Schools of Medicine and Science, and the Institute for Economic Research.

On behalf of SDI Head Tamara Martínez, Paola Mendieta, SDI’s Academic Development Coordinator, highlighted the importance of promoting collaboration across diverse disciplines and fostering engagement among institutions and sectors, including those beyond academia.