Mariia Trofimova

Biologist and Geneticist, Independent Researcher, Germany

Title: Aging Across Cultures: Historical Perspectives and Living Traditions

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Biography

Mariia Trofimova is a molecular biologist, geneticist, and Tai Chi master with a diverse background spanning scientific research, international business, and wellness practices. She earned her degree from Saint Petersburg University, where she worked as a staff researcher. Her academic work focused on DNA recombination between bacterial transposons and yeast, as well as the regulation of translation suppressor genes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Over the years, she has built extensive experience in both the scientific and business sectors. In addition to her scientific career, she has pursued interdisciplinary education with certifications in Digital Marketing (Udacity), Paleontology (University of Alberta), Sociology (University of Amsterdam), and Data Science with Python and SQL (IBM).A dedicated practitioner of Tai Chi, she specializes in the Old Yang style and was awarded a gold medal at the 2025 China National Championship in Xi’an. Currently based in Germany, she leads a Tai Chi and Qigong group in Munich, promoting holistic health and well-being.

Abstract

A journey through several striking turning points in the social history of aging. Rather than attempting a comprehensive historical review, the talk will use selected examples to show how changes in human social organization, knowledge, technology and culture repeatedly transformed the status and functions of older people. These historical shifts will serve as a starting point for a brief look ahead: how might the continuing evolution of the human noosphere reshape old age in the longevity era?