Michigan State University (MSU) AgeAlive will host its 2026 Education & Research Forum and Awards Ceremony on Thursday, March 26, 2026, bringing together researchers, direct care workers, caregivers, students and community partners for a dynamic statewide event focused on “Advancing Mobility Across Settings as We Age.”
The primary in-person event will take place at MSU Federal Credit Union Headquarters Building 1 in East Lansing (3777 West Road), with a concurrent Upper Peninsula viewing site at the Ishpeming Multi-Purpose Senior Center (121 Greenwood St.). Virtual participation will also be available via Zoom. Premier sponsors include IMPART Alliance and the Tri-County Office on Aging.
The event runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., with doors opening at 8:30 a.m. for registration, a light breakfast and networking with vendors and community resource partners.
Attendees in East Lansing will experience the forum live, including opportunities to engage with speakers, participate in interactive discussions, view student research poster presentations and tour the Direct Care Worker Mobile Training Unit. The AgeAlive Awards Ceremony, held at 1 p.m., will recognize leaders in aging-related research, intergenerational programming and community impact. Awardees include Tamara Reid Bush, Ph.D., professor, Mechanical Engineering and associate dean for Inclusive Excellence (Research in Aging Award), Peter Berg, Ph.D., professor, School of Human Resources and Labor Relations, College of Social Science (Research in Aging Award), Allison Stawara, MSU alum and community farm manager, Partridge Creek Farm (Intergenerational Award), and Maureen McCabe-Power, community member (Legacy Award).
Participants at the Ishpeming site will join via live broadcast, with on-site facilitation and opportunities to connect with local organizations and resources supporting older adults across the Upper Peninsula.
“Mobility is essential to independence, dignity and quality of life as we age,” said Clare Luz, Ph.D., associate professor of family and community medicine in MSU’s College of Osteopathic Medicine, acting AgeAlive director and director of IMPART Alliance. “This year’s forum highlights innovative, cross-disciplinary approaches that support movement in everyday settings — from the home to health care systems to our broader communities. We especially encourage attendees to join us in East Lansing to fully experience the energy, collaboration and connection this event offers.”
The forum will feature a Research “GEMs” panel highlighting MSU faculty and student-led projects, a keynote address titled “Aging in Motion: Making Movement the Expectation, Not the Exception” by Shanta’ Favors, Ms. Wheelchair Michigan 2024, and a Mobility Initiatives panel exploring transportation, fall prevention and community-based solutions.
Presentation topics include:
- Innovative approaches to seating and injury support
- The impact of nature on healthy aging
- Human-machine interface design using residual movement
- Driver safety and aging
- Expanding access to fall prevention resources
- Non-emergent transportation solutions
“This event creates a powerful bridge between research, real-world application and community connection,” said Ashley Roberts, senior center executive director of the Greater Ishpeming Commission on Aging and Ishpeming Multi-Purpose Senior Center. “We are proud to serve as the Upper Peninsula’s connection point, ensuring our community can engage in these important conversations while accessing local resources.”
A light breakfast and lunch will be available upon request, and a limited number of vendors and agency resource tables will be present at both locations. Attendees may participate in the full program or select sessions based on their schedule.
The event is free and open to the public with registration. Direct care workers, family caregivers, health care professionals, students and anyone interested in aging-related issues are encouraged to attend. To register, visit: https://agealive.org/2026-msu-agealive-education-research-forum-3/
MSU AgeAlive is a program within Michigan State University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine, Department of Family and Community Medicine. It works to build a cohesive, university-wide aging network that connects research, education and community partnerships to improve the lives of individuals of all ages.