Frank J. Infurna, PhD


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Who am I?

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If I had to describe myself using 3 words they would be funny, positive, and lively. I always try to maintain a positive attitude and outlook on life! I truly enjoy life and spending time with family and friends. Below are some more specifics about me.

Interests

I have a variety of interests including sports, reading, and spending time with family and friends. Throughout my entire life from childhood and into undergrad I have played baseball. It was my passion for a very long time, and now my passion has shifted to graduate school and conducting research. I do keep my competitive spirit alive by playing softball in the summer and flag football in the fall. In the summer, I keep busy by playing golf. The picture on the bottom left of this page is of my brother and I before we played the 18th hole on Battleridge Golf Course in Niagara Falls, Canada.

Since I began graduate school at Penn State I have developed a stronger interest in reading books for leisure. In particular I try to read books focusing on human development, with an emphasis on aging and health, and books from famous researchers for the lay public. Currently, I am reading Anticancer: A New Way of Life by David Servan-Schreiber. Below is a list of several of my favorites, enjoy!

Books by Malcolm Gladwell - The Tipping Point, Blink, and Outliers

Loneliness: Human Nature and the Need for Social Connections by John T. Cacioppo and William Patrick 

Survival of the Sickest by Dr. Sharon Moalem with Jonathan Prince - Truly fascinating book making arguments that health outcomes/diesease such as high cholesterol and diabetes served an evolutionary/adaptive purpose.

Tuesdays with Morrie, For One More Day, both by Mitch Albom and The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch.

Family

My family has played an important role in my life. They provide me with inspiration and guidance each day. Both my mom and dad's families emigrated from Sicily to the United States to have a better life. My mom came to the US with my grandparents and uncle when she was 11 years old, and my dad was 21 when he immigrated to the US to join family that was already here. My parents both immigrated to Rochester, New York. Oddly enough, my mom and dad's families are from the same town in Sicily, but they met and were married in the US, talk about chance and fortuitious events! I have an older brother Chuck who is a teacher and has two master's degrees, one in education and one in school administration. Last, but certainly not least part of the reason I was so drawn to studying aging was because of the close relationship my brother and I have been fortunate/lucky enough to have with our grandparents. They helped raise my brother and I when we were younger and have played a pivotal role in our upbringing. They are truly loving and kind people and exemplify Erikson's stage of generativity! At the bottom right of this page is a family picture: from left, dad, mom, grandma, grandpa, me, Chuck, and his wife Laura.   

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