On May 9, 2018, a new center dedicated to research on longevity and healthy aging was established at the University of Southern California (USC) Leonard Davis School of Gerontology with a $20 million gift from Mei-Lee Ney.

The donation, creating the Ney Center for Healthspan Science, was the largest in the school’s 43-year history. A longtime supporter of the school, Ney is a member of its board of councilors and previously funded an endowed scholarship for USC gerontology students. In 2017, she was awarded the Dean’s Medallion, the school’s highest honor, in recognition of her contributions.

School leaders envision the center as a hub of multidisciplinary exploration into the biological, demographic and psychosocial aspects of aging. It will leverage the school’s uniquely wide-ranging expertise in investigating the science of aging and implementing innovations to help people live with purpose, safety and security into their golden years.

The new center will build on USC’s growing university-wide efforts to improve health and longevity across the lifespan, a tenet of its new strategic plan. Tackling challenges related to extended life expectancy is a priority in the plan, which encourages researchers and scholars across the university to share their expertise and ideas on addressing aging-related issues as one of society’s wicked problems.

The world’s population is rapidly aging, with people aged 65 or older soon expected to outnumber children younger than five. That has significant implications for society. Stress on the health care system and individual caregivers will continue to increase.

Age-related diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, diabetes and cancer will likely affect a wider swath of the population. Issues like social isolation, care giving, housing and work opportunities need to be addressed as older adults seek to remain vibrant and vital members of their communities.

Ney is president of Richard Ney & Associates Asset Management Inc., an investment advisory firm she helped run with her business partner and late husband, Richard, since 1973.