Avan has international recognition in the field of Geriatrics and Gerontology for her research on ageing, sarcopenia and multiple long-term conditions (multimorbidity). She leads an interdisciplinary ageing research group, the AGE Research Group, established in 2016 to focus on these areas. The group takes a life course approach to translating research findings into advances in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of ill health in later life. AGE is central to delivery of the newly awarded BRC ageing, sarcopenia and multimorbidity theme.