Join NIA at GSA in Boston next week!
You don’t have to be a Red Sox fan—or even a baseball fan—to look forward to coming to Boston for the annual meeting of the Gerontological Society of America on November 14–18. This is your chance to talk with NIA staff and learn about funding opportunities, ask what might happen to your application, or just shoot the breeze. Many of us will be there, and we look forward to talking with and meeting you (and maybe having some clam chowder or a lobster roll).
A third geroscience summit on the horizon
I’m very pleased to report that only seven short years after taking our first steps in geroscience, we’re now ready to expand the reach of the field into new areas with a third Summit on Geroscience. While the concept of geroscience has been well accepted within the aging biology research community, the goal of the upcoming Summit is to extend our reach into new areas of scientific endeavor and to involve new participants, including disease advocates and policymakers.
Office of Special Populations continues the momentum in 2018
As we look forward to a bevy of fall activities, I’d like to update you on some of the Office of Special Populations’ (OSP) recent happenings and activities. Read on to find out what we’ve been doing and what we’re planning for the near future.
Save the Date! Workshop on osteoporotic drugs and prevention
Sticks and stones aren’t the only things that can break your bones—osteoporosis is also a main cause. In fact, 50 percent of women and 20 percent of men over age 50 will break a bone because of low bone mass or poor bone quality. To better understand current knowledge gaps in osteoporosis research and identify future needs in using osteoporosis drugs, NIH is hosting a Pathways to Prevention (P2P) Workshop: Appropriate Use of Drug Therapies for Osteoporotic Fracture Prevention.
Watch for NIA at AAIC in the Windy City!
NIA staff are gearing up for the annual Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) 2018, taking place this year in Chicago, July 22-26. AAIC is dedicated to advancing dementia science, and we’re looking forward to attending alongside thousands from the Alzheimer’s community.
A 'dream team' collaboration on cancer in aging
A standing-room-only crowd of extramural and intramural scientists filled a room at the NIH main campus in Bethesda on April 30, when researchers from NIA joined colleagues from the National Cancer Institute for a collaborative scientific workshop on cancer in aging. We were excited and gratified by the turnout and by the high level of interest among the participants to tackle the multiple intersections of aging and cancer.
Expanding our borders: Planning for a third geroscience summit
They say that time flies when you’re having fun. The field of geroscience has grown tremendously since our summits in 2013 and 2016, and now we find ourselves moving faster than ever and planning a third summit. This time, our goal will be to engage professional societies, stakeholder groups, and researchers interested in specific chronic diseases and conditions of older people, and exchange ideas on the role of aging biology in these health problems.
A sure sign of spring - The AGS annual meeting!
We’re looking forward to attending the annual meeting of the American Geriatrics Society, May 3–5, in Orlando, Florida. NIA and the AGS Research Committee are offering two symposia—one for junior researchers new to aging and one for senior researchers. We hope to see you in Orlando.
GEMSSTAR Scholars focus on how cognitive impairment intersects with their specialties
On March 25–27, the NIA welcomed current and former grantees from more than 26 medical and surgical specialties, along with mentors who are leaders in aging research within their specialties, to the third biennial meeting of GEMSSTAR (Grants for Early Medical/Surgical Specialists' Transition to Aging Research) Scholars. The meeting featured a combination of aging-themed presentations, Scholars’ posters, career development training, and networking opportunities.
Regenerative medicine conference points to new research opportunities
Among the initiatives launched under the 21st Century Cures Act, which brought us the Cancer Moonshot, the BRAIN initiative, and the All of Us precision medicine program, is the Regenerative Medicine Innovation Project (RMIP). NIH, in coordination with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), is taking the lead on this exciting new venture, which seeks to accelerate clinical research on adult stem cells.
