Juwen Wang

My initial interest in studying Gerontology came from personal life experiences. Growing up in a rural, aging community in Taiwan sparked my curiosity about the aging process. Living with my grandparents, engaging with older adults in the neighborhood, and volunteering in nursing homes all deepened my understanding of this age group and heightened my awareness of the importance of well-being and healthcare in later life. I am passionate about exploring the social factors that contribute to healthy aging and promoting the well-being of older adults.

My favorite experience in the CALC gerontology program has been meeting many graduate students from various departments at Purdue. I appreciate the opportunity to connect with people who share the same research interests in gerontology, which makes my research experience more engaging and less isolating. We often take courses together, discuss research, and share resources. Some of us also travel together to attend conferences.

My mentor at Purdue is Dr. Hui (Cathy) Liu. She has been very generous in providing resources and support for me to conduct research and attend conferences. Additionally, I greatly appreciate her guidance and invaluable feedback on my work. She truly cares about her students’ success and encourages me to do my best. I am very grateful to have Cathy as my mentor in the graduate program.

My interest in gerontology has shaped my research agenda to focus on family, aging, health, and the life course. I am particularly interested in understanding how family relationships—including marital, intergenerational, and sibling relationships—influence health outcomes in later life. Guided by the life course perspective, I aim to explore the interconnectedness of family dynamics and their associations with the aging experience.

I enjoy playing badminton with friends or simply taking walks in the park on weekends. Outdoor activities always help relieve stress and refresh my mind. However, I also enjoy staying home sometimes. I like to cook a good meal for myself, make coffee or tea, and play the piano.