Mingui "Johnny" Gao

I became interested in Gerontology through both childhood experiences and more recent work in social services. Although I’ve only been on this path for a year, the more I learn, the more I recognize its value to older adults’ well-being. The field is as multi-faceted as the needs of older adults themselves—and its interdisciplinary nature allows researchers from various fields to collaborate for real-world impact.

One of my favorite aspects of the CALC program is its dual-title PhD structure. As someone in Sociology and Gerontology, I appreciate how this structure honors students’ original training while providing in-depth, intentional gerontological education. It’s a model that prepares us well for both academic and applied careers.

My mentor, Dr. Cathy Liu, is a well-established scholar who deeply invests in her students’ success. Through weekly team meetings, she ensures we have the academic and logistical support we need. She also fosters a collaborative environment by encouraging us to work with one another, which has helped me grow as both a researcher and teammate.

Gerontological training has taught me to view my research through a life course lens. I now think more critically about how variables operate over time, and I’ve developed a strong interest in longitudinal data and causal inference. These insights have influenced both my dissertation planning and broader research agenda. Looking ahead, I believe gerontology will only grow in significance as populations age globally—and I feel confident that this discipline will remain both promising and impactful.

Gerontology is a much more exciting and intellectually rich field than many realize. It combines sophisticated theories, robust methodologies, and practical applications that directly improve the lives of older adults. Although gerontology is still underrepresented as a standalone major in most American universities, I believe it will become increasingly central in coming years. Now is the perfect time to be part of this growing and meaningful discipline.

One thing I’d like to tell anyone not in the study of gerontology is that it’s not just about older adults. Gerontology takes a life course perspective, which means that experiences and behaviors in early and mid-life can shape health and well-being later on. This field allows us to work with people across all stages of life, and the story it tells is not based on static snapshots, but on a dynamic and longitudinal view of human development.