Saturday, November 23, 2024
11/23/2024
Project Summary: This application seeks to renew our 15-year old T32 training program in “Translational Research in Aging” at Hebrew SeniorLife, a geriatric teaching hospital affiliated with Harvard Medical School (HMS) and home of the Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research. The program will continue to be directed by Dr. Lewis Lipsitz, MD, Professor of Medicine, Director of HSL's Marcus Institute, and Chief of the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) Gerontology Division. Dr. Edward Marcantonio, Professor of Medicine and Section Chief for Research in the BIDMC Division of General Medicine will be the Associate Director. Both are senior NIA-funded investigators, highly regarded mentors, and recognized leaders in Gerontology. The specific aims of our program are: 1) To provide a 2-year mentored training program in basic, patient-oriented, or population- based aging research for 3 highly qualified, racially and ethnically diverse post-doctoral trainees each year, and to promote their achievement of successful independent research careers focused on the conduct of scientific research that will inform the development of interventions to improve the quality of life and well-being of older adults; and 2) To continuously evaluate our program objectives and the progress of our postdoctoral trainees, and make continuous quality improvements to ensure that we achieve our goals. During the past 15 years we have trained 43 postdoctoral fellows (9 MDs and 34 PhDs), 33 of whom (77%) now hold academic positions at major universities. In total they have published 307 papers and won 126 grants as Principal Investigator or Co-PI. During the current funding period we have filled all of our positions and trained 15 postdoctoral fellows who have published 154 papers and won 10 grants. Five of our 9 graduates so far have acquired full-time research positions at premier universities or medical centers. The proposed renewal of our postdoctoral training program includes mentored research experiences, seminars, coursework, interdisciplinary workshops, intensive instruction in scientific rigor and reproducibility and the responsible conduct of research, a formal evaluation process, and substantive exposure to a multi-disciplinary faculty in the field of aging. Our trainees also benefit from our close collaboration with the Boston OAIC, Boston Roybal Center, and Harvard CTSA (Catalyst), which provide additional research training, pilot grants, and career development support. Our strong pipeline of talented students and minority recruitment plan help assure that we will train future generations of translational scientists committed to developing interventions that improve the health and well- being of older adults.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).
