[Isl] Celebrating the Legacy of Dr. Neil Charness: Founding Director of the FSU Institute for Successful Longevity

[Zhe He]

Dear ISL friends and colleagues,

It is with deep appreciation and admiration that we celebrate the retirement of Dr. Neil Charness, the Founding Director of the FSU Institute for Successful Longevity. Dr. Charness has been an integral part of our community, dedicating his career to advancing interdisciplinary aging research and improving the lives of older adults through innovative approaches.

Dr. Neil Charness is the William G. Chase Professor of Psychology, FSU Distinguished Research Professor, and Director of the Institute for Successful Longevity. He received his bachelor's degree from McGill University in 1969 and his MSc and PhD in Psychology from Carnegie Mellon University in 1971 and 1974, respectively. He began his academic career as an Assistant Professor at Wilfrid Laurier University (1974-77), then served as Assistant, Associate, and Full Professor at the University of Waterloo (1977-94), before joining Florida State University in 1994. Dr. Charness is a member of the editorial boards for the Journal of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences, Psychology and Aging, and Gerontechnology. He is a past editor of the Psychology section of the Canadian Journal on Aging/Revue Canadienne du Vieillissement. He has also served on the editorial boards of Aging, Neuropsychology and Cognition; Psychological Bulletin; and Journal of Experimental Psychology: Applied. He is a Fellow of the Canadian Psychological Association, the Gerontological Society of America, the American Psychological Association, and the Association for Psychological Science. He was made a Grandmaster of the International Society for Gerontechnology. Additionally, he has been a visiting scholar at the VA Outpatient Clinic in Boston, the University of Victoria, Canada, and the Max Planck Institute for Human Development and Education in Berlin.

His research centers on understanding the aging process and its implications for technology use particularly for health, work performance, and expert performance. He also conducts human factors research on older driver and pedestrian safety. These research projects are funded by the National Institutes of Health/National Institute on Aging, and the US Department of Transportation, and the Florida Department of Transportation.

As the Founding Director of the Institute for Successful Longevity, his passion for research and commitment to fostering interdisciplinary collaborations have made a profound impact on our community. Many ISL affiliates have benefited from various programs of ISL for their research and professional development. His efforts in community outreach, particularly during the global pandemic, have helped older adults stay connected and engaged.

On a personal note, I have had the privilege of knowing Dr. Charness since 2015, when I joined FSU under the successful longevity initiative and became an ISL core affiliate. He has been a mentor, collaborator, and good friend, inspiring me with his passion for research and his commitment to making a positive impact. His guidance and support have been instrumental in my own professional growth, and I know many others who have been similarly inspired by his work and leadership. As Dr. Charness steps into retirement, we express our deepest gratitude for his exemplary service and dedication. His contributions to the Institute for Successful Longevity and the field of aging research will continue to influence and inspire for years to come.

Please join me in celebrating the remarkable career of Dr. Neil Charness and his invaluable contributions to the FSU Institute for Successful Longevity!

If you haven’t already, please RSVP for the retirement celebration for Neil Charness via https://fsu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bfQfCix59lCFVSC<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ffsu.qualtrics.com%2Fjfe%2Fform%2FSV_bfQfCix59lCFVSC&data=05%7C02%7Cisl%40lists.fsu.edu%7Ccfe4d5b2e0c8457e04c608dc80b4e323%7Ca36450ebdb0642a78d1b026719f701e3%7C0%7C0%7C638526761589259280%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=cOoDIlf%2FgfplrVMlzp%2BZUyMk6nsRCYl2eIzmw3dRy0U%3D&reserved=0>.  His retirement celebration will be held in FSU Alumni Center (1030 W. Tennessee Street), 3-5 pm, Friday May 31, 2024.

Best Regards,

Zhe He, PhD, FAMIA
Interim Director, Institute for Successful Longevity
Associate Professor, School of Information, College of Communication and Information
Florida State University
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