This proposal requests financial support from the National Institute on Aging for the 2014-2015 Annual Meetings organized by the Biological Sciences (BS) Section of the GSA. Our guiding principle to organizing the 2014-2015 meetings is that the highest quality and most relevant science in the aging field will emerge when researchers understand the issues of human aging from geriatricians, psychologists and sociologists. In turn, improvements in clinical care and the health of nation will be facilitated when geriatricians, psychologists and sociologists understand the basic mechanisms of aging and the efficacy of interventions designed to ameliorate aging and age-related disease. Furthermore, we are cognizant of our responsibility to provide BS members, as well as other members of the GSA, the latest cutting-edge, high quality science that ultimately will improve the research of all who attend. The annual meeting of GSA is the only meeting in the country that has the ability to foster such an interdisciplinary approach to aging research. The GSA BS Section has re-dedicated itself to organizing the highest quality scientific program at the annual meeting, thereby providing a forum to engender interaction and exchange of ideas among scientists from disparate fields. The goal is to raise awareness of recent, fundamental advances in our understanding of aging biology and facilitate translation into clinical interventions. We propose a single-track program featuring emerging concepts in the basic biology of aging with the highest translational potential that will promote discussion and networking among speakers and conference attendees across sections, particularly between the BS and Health Sciences Sections. The meeting will also provide opportunities for talented junior investigators to have a prominent role in BS symposia. Scientific sessions and overall meeting logistics will be evaluated to implement quality improvement for the subsequent year and to provide continuity for symposium themes.
The Biological Sciences Program at The Gerontological Society of America's annual meeting is the only scientific conference in the country where interactions can occur between scientists of different disciplines related to research on the mechanisms of aging and age-related disease. The goal is to raise awareness of recent, fundamental advances in our understanding of aging biology and facilitate translation into clinical interventions.
