Students of Gilbrea: Voices Shaping the Future of Aging

About the Series

The Gilbrea Centre for Studies in Aging is proud to showcase the work of our student members through the Student Research Spotlight Series. Students are an integral part of the Centre’s community, bringing fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to the study of aging.

This series highlights the research interests, experiences, and aspirations of students affiliated with the Gilbrea Centre. Through short interviews, we invite you to learn more about their work, what motivates them, and how they are contributing to advancing knowledge in the field of aging.

We hope these spotlights not only celebrate our students’ achievements but also inspire conversation, collaboration, and new ways of thinking about aging across disciplines.

Meet Kyla Kovalik

Name/Program/Department:
Kyla Kovalik
MA Health and Aging, Department of Health, Aging and Society, McMaster University

What sparked your interest in aging?

What mainly sparked my interest in aging is being surrounded by older adults growing up. Whether my grandparents or volunteering in community-based settings, I have always loved to spend time with older adults. As a child, watching my grandfather experience Alzheimer’s disease sparked an interest in learning about dementia, which led me to my current journey on dementia-based research. 

What’s your current research in a nutshell?

For my MA in Health and Aging, I chose to do a thesis on a co-designed intergenerational kitchen pilot project, which was generously funded by the Gilbrea Centre for Studies in Aging. Co-designed with the Intergenerational Advisory SHARE Group at Gilbrea, the intergenerational kitchen pilot project was created to explore the impact of intergenerational cooking-based activities and programming on participants’ social health and well-being. It also seeks to understand if intergenerational programming leads to feelings of inclusion and positive views on aging. This study contributes to an understanding of innovative approaches to addressing well-being and the continued need for creative, community-based, intergenerational research. The findings carry implications for academic knowledge, specifically in promoting social health and well-being for older adults and students in intergenerational settings.

How has being part of the Gilbrea Centre helped shape your journey?

Working at the Gilbrea Centre has allowed me to nourish my passion for intergenerational and dementia research. As the 2024 Karl Kinanen Undergraduate Student Research Scholarship recipient, I began working on a co-designed library-based ‘tech club’ for older adults living with dementia and their care partners. Since then, I have worked on my MA thesis on a co-designed intergenerational kitchen pilot project. I am currently working on another ‘tech club’ project as part of the Enhancing Mobility and Participation for Older Adult Wellness through Digital Inclusion (EMPOWrD) project. Working at the Gilbrea Centre has taught me a variety of transferable skills for my future and taught me to work with data through mixed methods approaches. I have interviewed participants, led focus groups, practiced participant observation, taken ethnographic-style field notes, analyzed mood questionnaires, and conducted descriptive thematic analysis through various datasets. I am grateful for the opportunity to work at the Gilbrea Centre, and I hope to continue learning and making a difference in the lives of older adults in the community.

What’s one myth about aging you wish people would stop believing?

One myth about aging I wish people would stop believing is that dementia is a normal or inevitable part of aging. Most older adults will not develop dementia as they age. There are various risk factors and medical conditions that can increase the risk, but it does not mean dementia is inevitable. By actively taking steps to manage dementia-related risk factors, individuals can lower their chances of developing dementia. 

What advice would you give to students curious about aging studies?

The advice I would give to students curious about aging studies is to follow your heart. What drew me into the field was thinking about my aging family members and wanting to make a difference in the lives of older adults. If you also feel drawn to learning about aging and you enjoy spending time or working with older adults, take the chance. I would also encourage networking with people who study aging to hear more about their career paths. The world’s population is rapidly aging and by 2050, individuals aged 60+ will double from 1 billion in 2020 to 2.1 billion in 2050 (World Health Organization, 2024). There will always be employment opportunities in the aging field, whether direct care, health care, supportive service agencies, social policy, and research jobs, and the demand for these jobs will likely grow. 

What’s something fun about you?

A fun fact about me is that I am a plant mom and have too many plants to count all around my home. I was gifted an aloe vera plant from my grandmother in 2019, and I have repotted countless aloe plants to give to family and friends ever since. The one aloe plant started my endless obsession with plants, and I look forward to a lifetime of caring for plants.

The Gilbrea Centre for Studies in Aging is proud to feature Kyla as part of our Student Research Spotlight series — celebrating the insight, curiosity, and community-driven spirit she brings to the study of aging.