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SALISBURY, MD--Dr. Augustine G. DiGiovanna, professor of biology in the Richard A. Henson School of Science and Technology at Salisbury State University, recently participated in the annual meeting of the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education in St. Louis, MO. SSU is a member of the AGHE.

DiGiovanna developed and chaired the symposium, "Biology of Aging: Theory and Practice." The four presenters in the symposium explained three current theories of aging and how these theories can be implemented in practical everyday ways. DiGiovannaâs presentation was devoted to the free radical theory of aging. He discussed what free radicals are, how they form in the body, how they are used, how they cause aging and disease and how body defenses and anti-oxidants may reduce their effects. Other presenters focused on the glycation of proteins by glucose and on the effects of estrogen.

While at the AGHE meeting, DiGiovanna also played an active role as a member of the AGHEâs faculty Development Committee and will continue working with colleagues from across the U.S. on implementing technology to enhance collaboration among faculty in gerontology.

DiGiovanna is also completing the second edition of his book on aging, "Human Aging: Biological Perspectives." The book is to be releases in the summer.

DiGiovannaâs trip was funded by SSUâs Department of Biological Sciences and a grant from SSUâs Faculty Development Committee.