CRS and Potocsnak Longevity Institute Partnership
Reproduction and aging are two fundamental biological processes that are deeply interconnected and both critical fields of study are at the forefront of scientific research. Reproductive hormones like estrogen and testosterone influence aging processes and studying this interplay helps in early detection of systemic diseases, personalized medical care, and the promotion of lifelong wellness. 
The Potocsnak Longevity Institute (PLI) established in 2022, is a pioneering initiative that delves into the science of aging through specialized centers, including Basic & Translational Science, Aging & HIV, the Human Longevity Lab (HLL), Population Science & Aging, and the Pepper Center for Older Americans’ Independence. The PLI brings together investigators across Northwestern to discover the mechanisms of aging and interventions to delay the aging process.
As such, CRS and PLI have partnered to make an impact towards discovering biological processes that can expand and improve the human lifespan. Through joint initiatives like grant funding and scholarship, CRS and PLI are exploring new ways to collaborate to move two exciting fields forward: reproduction and aging. For example, since studies confirm that men and women experience biological aging differently, in 2025 CRS and PLI partnered on the Shaw Innovation Awards to support early career investigators at Northwestern whose research focused on sex differences and aging. Many of the investigators on our T32 CRS Training Program are also members of the PLI illustrating the symbiotic relationship between the fields.
Recently Dr. Doug Vaughan, Director of PLI, was featured in a Time Magazine article highlighting the innovative research being conducted at PLI and its affiliated institutes. Dr. Vaughan said of PLI “We look to better understand how aging works so that we may counter its negative effects though new diagnostics and treatments that can positively impact people’s healthspans.”
We look forward to continuing this exciting and novel partnership with PLI!