We are delighted to announce that Dr. habil. Ewelina Pośpiech is taking on the role of Program Director of the ELEVATE Health & Longevity Summit.
Longevity needs science today, not promises. Dr. habil. Ewelina Pośpiech, Professor at Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, is an expert in the genetics of complex traits, the epigenetics of aging, and lifestyle epigenetics. Thanks in part to her work, we know that aging is not solely a matter of age, but the result of complex relationships between genes, lifestyle, and the environment.
From forensic genetics and research on biological age and skin aging to personalized medicine, Professor Pośpiech’s scientific achievements have been recognized for years both in Poland and internationally. She is a recipient of the Foundation for Polish Science award for outstanding young researchers and the prestigious award of the Japan Society of Human Genetics. She has been included three times among the top 2% most cited scientists in the world. Get to know her better!
From genetics to forensic science
From the beginning, Professor Ewelina Pośpiech’s scientific path has been shaped by curiosity about how much information about a person is encoded in their genetic material. The models she helped develop have made it possible to predict physical characteristics such as:
- Eye, hair, and skin color,
- The presence of freckles,
- Hair texture and shape,
- Predisposition to androgenetic alopecia.
The use of epigenetic analyses has even made it possible to estimate a person’s age. These studies have led to the development of tools used in forensic DNA phenotyping. The ability to create a “genetic portrait” of a potential suspect is a milestone in modern forensic science. Even a small biological trace, such as a blood or saliva sample, can accelerate an investigation and narrow the search.
How much can be read from a face?
Today, epigenetics allows us to answer questions such as:
- Why do people of the same age grow older differently?
- What role do diet, physical activity, stress, and the environment play?
Although genes matter, data suggests that they account for approximately 30 to 50% of the variation in lifespan and the rate of aging. The remainder is shaped by lifestyle, the environment, and everyday choices. These relationships are now at the center of Professor Pośpiech’s research. A particularly important area of her work is skin aging and the relationship between biological age and the rate of visible changes in the face. As the body’s largest organ and the one most exposed to environmental factors, the skin becomes a unique “archive” of aging processes and changes taking place throughout the body.
Toward personalized medicine
Research into aging processes has opened another important area of interest for ELEVATE’s new Program Director: personalized medicine. In her work, she uses tools including epigenetic clocks, currently among the most accurate methods for assessing biological age.
Based on the analysis of DNA methylation, epigenetic clocks make it possible to precisely capture the molecular mechanisms underlying aging related processes. With their help, Professor Pośpiech’s teams can create personalized health programs, evaluate the effectiveness of therapies, and analyze how treatment, supplementation, and dermatological procedures affect aging processes.
The role of Program Director
Professor Ewelina Pośpiech brings impressive scientific experience to ELEVATE, along with an exceptional ability to explain complex topics in an accessible yet substantive way. As Program Director, she will invite new experts and help shape the event program, ensuring its scientific quality, interdisciplinary character, and practical value. It is difficult to imagine a better person for this role.
Welcome aboard!
