October 24, 2026 | Arlington Heights, Illinois
Language: English | 中文版
Lucy Zhou, Founder and President of the Hinsdale Multicultural Arts & Education Association (HMAE), attended the 34th Annual Conference of the Association of Chinese-American Scientists and Engineers (ACSE) on October 24, 2026, at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Arlington Heights, Illinois.
At the invitation of ACSE President Xiaojing Li, Zhou joined scientists, medical professionals, community leaders, and other attendees for a day of learning, professional exchange, and community engagement.
Exploring the Science of Healthy Aging
This year’s conference, themed “From Lifespan to Healthspan: Redefining Aging,” explored how scientific research, physical activity, and advances in medicine can help people maintain their health, independence, and quality of life as they age.
The morning keynote presentations featured Professor Jian-An Li, MD, a specialist in rehabilitation medicine, and Professor Stacie Levine, MD, a physician and leader in geriatrics and palliative medicine at the University of Chicago.
Professor Li emphasized the importance of physical activity, mobility, and maintaining functional independence throughout life. His personal journey offered a compelling example of active aging: he began running marathons at age 64 and, now 74, continues to pursue extraordinary endurance challenges. He also shared his experience completing the 777 marathon challenge in 2025.
Professor Levine addressed brain health and positive aging, discussing approaches to maintaining cognitive well-being and supporting healthy aging.
The afternoon program included additional panel discussions, offering participants opportunities to explore these topics in greater depth.
Reconnecting with Community Leaders and Former Colleagues
Beyond the scientific presentations, the conference provided opportunities to strengthen professional relationships and community connections.
Zhou was pleased to reconnect with DuPage County Board Member Lucy Chang Evans at the conference. Evans first attended a Lunar New Year celebration organized by Zhou in 2024, where she visited the cultural exhibits. She returned in 2025 and delivered remarks at the celebration. The two also crossed paths on several occasions at community events hosted by Hinsdale Village President Greg Hart. Their reunion at the ACSE conference continued a connection built through years of community engagement.
The conference also brought back memories of Zhou’s earlier involvement with ACSE. She served on ACSE’s board for two years beginning in 2021 and later led youth education lectures, helped establish an ACSE–MAHA collaboration on family education and adolescent mental health, and was responsible for organizing the afternoon youth education breakout session at ACSE’s 2023 annual conference. After leaving ACSE, she continued offering family education lectures independently at the Hinsdale Public Library while expanding her involvement in community cultural and educational initiatives. Today, she carries that longstanding passion for education, intergenerational learning, and community engagement forward through HMAE.
Another highlight of this year’s conference was ACSE’s inaugural photography exhibition, which added an artistic and cultural dimension to the scientific gathering. Zhou also encouraged a friend to participate, and the friend submitted several photographs for the exhibition.
Connecting Science, Education, and Community Well-Being
The conference’s focus on healthy aging closely aligns with HMAE’s commitment to lifelong learning, intergenerational connections, and meaningful community participation.
Through its Youth, Adult, and Senior programs, HMAE seeks to create opportunities for people of different ages and backgrounds to learn, share experiences, develop new skills, and remain actively engaged in community life.
The discussions at ACSE offered valuable perspectives on how education, physical activity, social connection, and cultural participation can contribute to well-being throughout life.
ACSE has long been dedicated to promoting scientific exchange, professional collaboration, and community service. Special thanks go to ACSE President Xiaojing Li for her efforts in organizing this year’s conference and for her warm invitation, which gave HMAE the opportunity to take part in this inspiring gathering.
