This revised application seeks renewal of our T32 training program in Translational Research in Aging at Hebrew SeniorLife (HSL), a geriatric teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School (HMS) and co-founder of Harvard's Interdisciplinary Center of Aging along with Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) where this program was previously administered. The program will continue to be directed by Dr. Lewis Lipsitz, MD, Professor of Medicine, Director of HSL's Institute for Aging Research, and Chief of the BIDMC Gerontology Division. Dr. Edward Marcantonio, Professor of Medicine and Section Chief for Research in the BIDMC Division of General Medicine and Primary Care will be the Associate Director.
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 postdoctoral trainees each year, and to promote their achievement of successful independent research careers focused on the conduct of basic, patient-oriented, or population-based research that will inform the development of interventions to improve the quality of life and well- being of elderly people; and 2) To continuously evaluate our program objectives and related outcomes, and make continuous quality improvements to ensure that we achieve our goals. Over the current funding period we have filled all 19 postdoctoral positions, 2 (11%) of which, supported talented African American trainees. Among our 16 graduates, 10 (63%) currently hold full-time junior faculty positions at premier Universities, one has continued her translational research as a Manager of Neuroscience and Genetics at Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, and 5 are pursuing additional postdoctoral training. Our 19 postdoctoral trainees have published 113 papers in peer-reviewed medical journals and have been awarded 23 grants as Principal Investigator. The proposed postdoctoral program includes mentored research experiences, seminars, coursework, collaborative projects, intensive instruction in the responsible conduct of research, a diversity curriculum, a formal evaluation process, and substantive exposure to a multidisciplinary faculty in the field of aging. In response to our previous review, we have removed the predoctoral training program, linked with the Boston Pepper Center, and developed a strong, multi-faceted minority recruitment plan. The training program will continue to facilitate the development of postdoctoral trainees into independent scientists interested in testing hypotheses concerning aging processes and in deriving and applying interventions to prevent or ameliorate age-associated disease and functional decline.

Public Health Relevance

This training program addresses the critical need for new investigators in the field of aging who can help solve the numerous health-related problems that will soon confront our rapidly aging population. The program will prepare a new cadre of academic leaders in geriatric medicine and aging research, who will be equipped with the necessary skills to understand the aging process, study why it often leads to disease, and determine how to prevent the onset of disease and disability in older adults.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Type
Institutional National Research Service Award (T32)
Project #
2T32AG023480-11A1
Application #
9072744
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZAG1)
Program Officer
Eldadah, Basil A
Project Start
2004-05-01
Project End
2021-04-30
Budget Start
2016-05-01
Budget End
2017-04-30
Support Year
11
Fiscal Year
2016
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Hebrew Rehabilitation Center for Aged
Department
Type
DUNS #
030832075
City
Boston
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
Poole, Victoria N; Wooten, Thomas; Iloputaife, Ikechukwu et al. (2018) Compromised prefrontal structure and function are associated with slower walking in older adults. Neuroimage Clin 20:620-626
Racine, Annie M; Gou, Yun; Fong, Tamara G et al. (2018) Correction for retest effects across repeated measures of cognitive functioning: a longitudinal cohort study of postoperative delirium. BMC Med Res Methodol 18:69
Palmer, Jennifer A; Parker, Victoria A; Berlowitz, Dan et al. (2018) Resident Choice: A Nursing Home Staff Perspective on Tensions and Resolutions. Geriatr Nurs 39:271-278
Racine, Annie M; Fong, Tamara G; Gou, Yun et al. (2018) Clinical outcomes in older surgical patients with mild cognitive impairment. Alzheimers Dement 14:590-600
Hartmann, Christine W; Mills, Whitney L; Pimentel, Camilla B et al. (2018) Impact of Intervention to Improve Nursing Home Resident-Staff Interactions and Engagement. Gerontologist 58:e291-e301
Racine, Annie M; D'Aquila, Madeline; Schmitt, Eva M et al. (2018) Delirium Burden in Patients and Family Caregivers: Development and Testing of New Instruments. Gerontologist :
Mills, Whitney L; Pimentel, Camilla B; Palmer, Jennifer A et al. (2018) Applying a Theory-Driven Framework to Guide Quality Improvement Efforts in Nursing Homes: The LOCK Model. Gerontologist 58:598-605
Chung, Chen-Chih; Pimentel Maldonado, Daniela A; Jor'dan, Azizah J et al. (2018) Lower cerebral vasoreactivity as a predictor of gait speed decline in type 2 diabetes mellitus. J Neurol 265:2267-2276
Racine, Annie M; Brickhouse, Michael; Wolk, David A et al. (2018) The personalized Alzheimer's disease cortical thickness index predicts likely pathology and clinical progression in mild cognitive impairment. Alzheimers Dement (Amst) 10:301-310
Manor, Brad; Zhou, Junhong; Harrison, Rachel et al. (2018) Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation May Improve Cognitive-Motor Function in Functionally Limited Older Adults. Neurorehabil Neural Repair 32:788-798

Showing the most recent 10 out of 187 publications