On Friday 16 November 2023 it was time for the dissertation of Jonathan Mak and his thesis “Genetics and biomarkers of frailty: towards individualized management of the frailty syndrome. He is trying to improve our understanding of the biology of frailty and to find ways of identifying frail older adults with the aim to improve individualized management of frailty.

What has surprised you the most working with this?

– I am always amazed by the power of collaboration and the incredible results that can be achieved when diverse minds come together. I’m extremely grateful to all my supervisors and collaborators for their guidance, feedback, and willingness to share their expertise over these past years. Learning from other leading researchers in aging through SWEAH also expanded my knowledge and reinforced the importance of interdisciplinary work. 

And what happens now?

– There are still a few remaining tasks like finalizing publications based on my work. I’ll then begin a postdoctoral position in Hong Kong, where I’m from originally. In this role, I look forward to applying the insights I've gained through my PhD training while continuing to contribute new ideas in aging science. Although departing Sweden, I hope to keep connections with SWEAH and colleagues here to explore future collaborative opportunities. The interdisciplinary approach fostered during my time in Sweden will undoubtedly shape and enhance my career’s next stage, says Jonathan Mak.

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