September 2025 Director's Status Report

Click on the links below to view sections of the September 2025 Director’s Status Report:

Budget and Appropriations

FY 2026 Appropriations

  • On July 31, 2025, the Senate Appropriations Committee advanced its version of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Labor-HHS spending bill, S.2587 , out of Committee. If enacted, the bill would appropriate $48.7 billion for NIH for FY 2026, an increase of $400 million above FY 2025 funds, including an increase of $100 million for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias research. The proposed budget for NIA is $4.558 billion, an increase of $50 million above FY 2025 appropriated levels.

  • On September 9, 2025, the House Appropriations Committee advanced its version of the FY 2026 Labor-HHS spending bill, H.R.5304 , out of Committee. If enacted, the bill would appropriate $47.85 billion for NIH in FY 2026, decreased from FY 2026 appropriated levels by $456 million. If enacted, NIA will be funded in FY26 at the FY25 appropriated levels ($4,507 billion).

FY 2026 President’s Budget

  • The portion of the President’s Budget regarding NIH was released on June 5, 2025. The proposed budget would cut NIH funding by $18 billion relative to current levels, as well as substantially re-organize NIH into fewer Institutes and Centers. The proposed budget for NIA is $2.69B (decreased from FY25 appropriations level of $4.51B).

FY 2027 Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias Professional Judgement Budget

Legislative Update

Legislation of Interest

  • On June 5, 2025, Rep. Troy Balderson (R-OH) introduced H.R.3747 , the ADDAPT Act.

    • If enacted, the bill would reauthorize the Project ECHO Grant Program, to establish grants to disseminate knowledge and build capacity to address Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, and for other purposes.
    • This bill has been referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce

  • On June 3, 2025, Rep. Ami Bera (D-CA) introduced H.R. 3674 , the Global Alzheimer’s Initiative Now Act.

    • If enacted, the bill would authorize U.S. Government participation in and financial contributions to the Davos Alzheimer’s Collaborative.
    • This bill has been referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

  • On May 19, 2025, Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and Rep. Linda Sánchez (D-CA) re-introduced S.1799 and H.R.3501 , respectively, “To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for certain cognitive impairment detection in the Medicare annual wellness visit and initial preventive physical examination.”

    • If enacted, the legislation would require that Medicare annual wellness visits and initial preventative physical examinations include cognitive screening using tools identified by NIA as meeting set criteria.
    • The Senate bill has been referred to the Committee on Finance and the House bill has been referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Committee on Ways and Means.
    • Versions of this bill (also referred to as the Concentrating on High-value Alzheimer's Needs to Get to an End Act (CHANGE Act) have been introduced since 2018.

  • On March 6, 2025, Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) introduced S. 891 , the Bipartisan Health Care Act.

    • If enacted, the bill would, among many other health provisions, reauthorize the Lifespan Respite Program and the Deondra Dixon INCLUDE Project.
    • The bill has been referred to the Senate Finance Committee.

  • On March 5, 2025, Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) introduced S. 870 , the Native ELDER Act.

    • If enacted, the bill would amend the Older Americans Act to enhance the longevity, dignity, empowerment, and respect of older individuals who are Native Americans.
    • The bill has been referred to the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee.

  • On March 3, 2025, Rep. Marilyn Strickland (D-WA) introduced H.R. 1812 , the Care Across Generations Act.

    • If enacted, the bill would amend the Older Americans Act to establish a grant program for multigenerational activities for long-term care facilities.
    • The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

  • On March 3, 2025, Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY) introduced H.R. 1802 , the Safeguard Pets, Animals, and Research Ethics (SPARE) Act.

    • If enacted, the bill would – with some exceptions – prohibit the use of animals in federal biomedical research, among other provisions.
      The bill has been referred to multiple committees (Space, Science, and Technology; Energy & Commerce; Agriculture; Rules; Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry).

  • On February 26, Rep. Mark Alford (R-MO) introduced H.R. 1590 , the Rural Innovation and Small Business Support Act.

    • If enacted, the bill would require federal agencies with SBIR or STTR programs to enhance outreach to rural communities.
    • The bill has been referred to the House Small Business Committee and the House Committee on Space, Science, and Technology.

  • On February 25, Sen. Richard Durbin (D-IL) introduced S.Res.93 , a resolution “expressing the sense of the Senate that the operations of the National Institutes of Health should not experience any interruption, delay, or funding disruption in violation of the law and that the workforce of the National Institutes of Health is essential to sustaining medical progress.”

    • The resolution has been referred to the Senate HELP Committee.
    • Senate resolutions like this one are essentially messaging vehicles and do not carry the force of law.

  • On February 13, Rep. Mike Flood (R-NE) re-introduced H.R. 1305 , the Improving Measurements for Loneliness and Social Isolation Act.

    • If enacted, the bill would direct the HHS Secretary to establish a working group to formulate recommendations for standardizing measurements of loneliness and social isolation.
    • The bill has been referred to the House Energy & Commerce Committee.

  • On February 6, Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL), chair of the Senate Aging Committee, introduced S. 473 , the Social Engagement and Network Initiatives for Older Relief (SENIOR) Act.

    • If enacted, the bill would amend the Older Americans Act of 1965 to include screening for loneliness and coordination of supportive services and health care to address the negative health effects of loneliness.
    • The bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Hearings, Visits, and Other Topics of Interest

Hearings

  • On September 4, 2025, the Senate Finance Committee held a hearing on The President’s 2026 Health Care Agenda. Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., testified.
  • On June 24, 2025, the House Energy and Commerce’s Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on the FY 2026 Department of Health and Human Services budget. Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., testified.
  • On June 10, 2025, the Senate Appropriation’s Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies held a hearing on the FY 2026 NIH budget. Dr. Jayanta Bhattacharya testified.
  • On May 14, 2025, the House Appropriations Committee held a hearing on the FY 2026 Department of Health and Human Services budget. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., testified.
  • On May 14, 2025, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee held a hearing on the FY 2026 Department of Health and Human Services budget. Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., testified.
  • On May 20, 2025, the Senate Appropriation’s Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee held a hearing on the FY 2026 Department of Health and Human Services budget. Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., testified.

Briefings

  • On September 10, 2025, NIA Director Dr. Richard Hodes met with Representative Diana DeGette (D-CO). Dr. Hodes briefed the Representative on NIA’s research on Down Syndrome, diabetes, and work with All of Us and the BRAIN Initiative.
  • On July 23, 2025, NIA Director Dr. Richard Hodes met with Representative Pete Stauber (R-MN). Dr. Hodes briefed the Representative on research on Alzheimer’s disease and Down Syndrome.
  • On May 30, 2025, NIA Director Dr. Richard Hodes and NINDS Director Dr. Walter Koroshetz participated in a Lunch & Learn briefing for Congressional staff in which they provided an overview of NIH-supported dementia research.
  • On June 13, 2025, NIA Director Dr. Richard Hodes, NIH Director Dr. Jayanta Bhattacharya, and NIA program staff met with Senator Shelly Calvo of the Guam Legislature. This was an informational meeting to engage in discussions regarding federal funding opportunities for aging research, healthcare initiatives for older individuals, and collaborative efforts to enhance Guam’s elder care programs.

Visits

  • On August 6, 2025, NIA Director Dr. Richard Hodes, NINDS Director Dr. Walter Koroshetz, Acting CARD Director Dr. Mark Cookson, and IRP investigators Drs. Justin Kwan and Dimitrios Kapogiannis met with staff members of the Senate Majority L-HHS Appropriations Subcommittee for a tour of the Neurodegenerative Disorders Clinic.

General Information

Staff Changes

Dr. Keenan Walker, Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience (LBN), received tenure with his new appointment as a Senior Investigator. Dr. Walker earned a bachelor’s degree in Cognitive Science from Johns Hopkins University, and master’s and Ph.D. degrees from St. John’s University. After postdoctoral training at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, he was briefly appointed to a position of Assistant Professor of Neurology at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Dr. Walker also holds the posts of Adjunct Assistant Professor of Neurology at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, and Associate Faculty at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. He was accepted into the NIH Distinguished Scholar program in 2021. At present, Dr. Walker heads the Multimodal Imaging of Neurodegenerative Disease (MIND) Unit in LBN. His research program focuses on three main areas: (1) identifying biological changes outside the central nervous system that influence risk for Alzheimer’s disease and related phenotypes, using multi-omics approaches; (2) leveraging large-scale cohort studies to identify immune and inflammatory drivers of brain health; and (3) characterizing the natural history of neuroinflammation in Alzheimer’s disease.

Staff Honors

Dr. Supriyo De has been selected for the 2024 76th Annual Arthur S. Flemming Award- Basic Science . Dr. De is being recognized for his visionary leadership in establishing a cutting-edge genomics and data science program at the National Institute on Aging, significantly advancing research in aging and Alzheimer’s disease, while promoting collaboration, and scientific excellence. The 2024 Flemming Awards Ceremony will take place on the evening of Sunday, November 2, 2025, at the National Academy of Sciences Building in downtown Washington, D.C., as part of the National Academy of Public Administration’s Fall Conference.

The NIH Postbaccalaureate Fellow Poster Day was held on April 29, 2025, in Bethesda, MD. The National Institute on Aging (NIA)/ Intramural Research Program (IRP) recognizes Postbacs who received an Outstanding Poster Award with scores in the top 20% of the 961 total posters presented. Fifteen NIA Postbacs were recognized:

  • Olivia M. Anderson, Translational Gerontology Branch (TGB)
    Mentors: Martina Rossi, Ph.D., and Robert Brosh, Ph.D.
  • Alexis Ayuketah, Center for Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias (CARD)
    Mentor: Kimberley Billingsley, Ph.D.
  • Nicole D. Carmiol, CARD
    Mentor: Andy Qi, Ph.D.
  • Linna Cui, TGB
    Mentor: Nathan Basisty, Ph.D.
  • Samuel Essig, Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience (LBN)
    Mentors: C'iana Cooper, Ph.D., and Peter Rapp, Ph.D.
  • Kylie C Foutch, Comparative Medicine Section (CMS)
    Mentor: Ross McDevitt, Ph.D.
  • Joe George, TGB
    Mentor: Robert M. Brosh Jr., Ph.D.
  • Alex Guo, Laboratory of Clinical Investigation (LCI)
    Mentor: Mustapha Bouhrara, Ph.D.
  • Isabella K. He, Laboratory of Cardiovascular Science (LCS)
    Mentors: Michael Stern, M.D., and Victor Maltsev, Ph.D.
  • Isabelle Kowal, CARD
    Mentors: Michael Ward, M.D., Ph.D., and Andy Qi, Ph.D.
  • Keefer Li, TGB
    Mentors: Luka Culig, Ph.D., and Isabel Beerman, Ph.D.
  • Shreya Mathur, CARD
    Mentor: Elise Marsan, Ph.D.
  • Jinhyeok Park, Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Immunology (LMBI)
    Mentor: Nan-Ping Weng, M.D., Ph.D.
  • Chad Sanehira, TGB
    Mentor: Ruin Moaddel, Ph.D.
  • Eleanor Wind, LGG
    Mentors: Krystyna Mazan-Mamczarz, Ph.D., and Myriam Gorospe, Ph.D.

Ten NIA IRP trainees were selected for the NIH Fellows Award for Research Excellence (FARE). FARE awardees will be recognized at the fall 2025 Baltimore Fellows Symposium:

  • Elikanah Olusayo Z. Adegoke, Ph.D.
    “Deep Serum Proteomic Profiling Identifies Candidate Paracrine Mediators of Physical Dysfunction Driven by Senescent Cell Transplantation”
    Mentor: Dr. Nathan Basisty
    Study Section: Omics - Metabolomics/Proteomics
  • Jamal Ahmad Ansari, Ph.D.
    “Schizophrenia/Autism-Linked Topoisomerase 3b Inactivation Induces Aberrant Microglial Activation in Mouse Brain”
    Mentor: Dr. Weidong Wang
    Study Section: Neuroscience – General
  • Georgiana Luisa Baca, M.D.
    “Largest Calcium Imaging Study Reveals a Novel Mechanism of Cardiac Rhythm Failure: Aging-Induced Pacemaker Network Desynchronization in the Sinoatrial Node”
    Mentor: Dr. Edward Lakatta
    Study Section: Heart, Lung, and Vascular Disease and Biology
  • Buyandelger Batsaikhan, M.D., Ph.D.
    “A Novel Derivative of Pomalidomide Attenuates Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inflammatory Response through Cereblon-Dependent and Independent Mechanisms in Human Cells and Animal Models”
    Mentor: Dr. Nigel H Greig
    Study Section: Chemistry - Drugs/Pharmaceuticals
  • Showkat A. Dar, Ph.D.
    “Proteogenomic Identification of Novel RNA Isoform Changes in Neurodegenerative Diseases: Unlocking New Clinical Biomarkers”
    Mentor: Dr. Emmanouil Maragkakis
    Study Section: Neuroscience - Neurological and Neurodegenerative Disorders and Injury
  • Jie Dong, MD, Ph.D.
    “Molecularly Distinct Striatonigral Neuron Subtypes Differentially Regulate Locomotion”
    Mentor: Dr. Huaibin Cai
    Study Section: Neuroscience - Neural Circuits
  • Mostafa Elbahnasawy, Ph.D.
    “Dynamic Antigen Specific CD8+ T cell Repertoire Changes During Differentiation and Aging”
    Mentor: Dr. Nan-ping Weng
    Study Section: Immunology - Lymphocyte Development and Activation
  • Apostolos Manolopoulos, M.D.
    “Effects of Oral Ketone Ester on Brain Metabolism and Cognition: A Randomized Controlled Trial”
    Mentor: Dr. Dimitrios Kapogiannis
    Study Section: Clinical and Translational Research - Clinical Trials
  • Mansi Shrivastava, Ph.D.
    “Senescence-Associated Interferon Signaling: A Key Modulator of Inflammaging”
    Mentor: Dr. Nathan Basisty
    Study Section: Clinical and Translational Research - Diagnostics/Biomarkers
  • Joshua A. Taylor, Ph.D.
    “Autoreactive Antibodies Selectively Exacerbate Plaque Development in Atherosclerotic Mice”
    Mentor: Dr. Patricia Gearhart
    Study Section: Heart, Lung, and Vascular Disease and Biology

The following IRP trainees participated in the NIA/IRP Annual Retreat held on July 22-23, 2025, and were recognized for their posters:

Nathan W. Shock

  • Jason Ashe, Ph.D., ThM, MDiv, Postdoctoral Fellow, Laboratory of Epidemiology and Population Sciences (LEPS)
    “Spirituality and cardiovascular health among African American and White adults”
  • Joshua A. Taylor, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Fellow, Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Immunology (LMBI)
    “Atherosclerotic antibody attack: friends or foes?”
  • Apala Pal, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Fellow, LGG
    “Identification and functional characterization of novel LncRNA LncEPCAM2 in senescence”

Scientific Director

  • Luisa Baca, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Fellow, Laboratory of Cardiovascular Science (LCS)
    “The last beat standing: Distinct patterns and disrupted network communication in the aging heart’s pacemaker”
  • Tatiana Rodriguez Rivera, B.S, Postbaccalaureate Fellow, Laboratory of Cardiovascular Science (LCS)
    “Macrophage-derived Osteopontin partially maintains the redox status of senescent vascular smooth muscle cells”
  • Kumar Konda, Ph.D., Visiting Postdoctoral Fellow, Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Immunology (LMBI)
    “B cells promote breast cancer metastasis using circulating IgA”
  • Jeffrey Han, Postbaccalaureate Fellow, Laboratory of Clinical Investigation (LCI)
    “Tissue analysis using the variable projection method (VarPro) for two-component MR relaxometry”
  • Jonghyun Bae, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Fellow, Laboratory of Clinical Investigation (LCI)
    “Azonal degeneration in autosomal dominant Alzheimer’s Disease”
  • Isabella He, B.S., Postbaccalaureate Fellow, Laboratory of Cardiovascular Science (LCS)
    “New pacemaker concepts to treat heart rhythm dysfunction in older patients”
  • Cassandra Blew, B.S., Postbaccalaureate Fellow, Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience (LBN)
    “Understanding the mechanisms linking GDF15 to dementia risk: A translational approach”
  • Fangyu Liu, Ph.D., Visiting Postdoctoral Fellow, Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience (LBN)
    “Pace of organ aging and brain health”
  • Subhadeep Dutta Gupta, Ph.D., Visiting Postdoctoral Fellow, Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience (LBN)
    “The efficacy of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on age-related social changes in rats is moderated by pre-treatment status”

Best Posters

  • Aditee Prabhutendolkar, Postbaccalaureate Fellow, Laboratory of Clinical Investigation (LCI)
    “Ridge regression for nonlinear least squares estimators: Application to MRI relaxometry models for myelin mapping”
  • Jennifer Perez Espinosa, B.S., Postbaccalaureate Fellow, Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Immunology (LMBI)
    “NF-κB hypoxia crosstalk in B lymphocytes”

Institute-Sponsored Meetings, Workshops, and Conferences

Past Meetings

Aging on a Chip: Special Session at the American Aging Association (AGE) Annual Meeting – May 14, 2025 – Hybrid & Anchorage, AK

Modeling human aging is necessary to complement observational and interventional clinical studies in human cohorts that are limited by temporal, spatial and ethical factors. Well-developed and widely used animal models may diverge enough from human-based models to limit their full translatability. New models of human aging are needed to help the field progress. The use of in vitro human tissue models is underdeveloped in aging research, especially when investigating molecular mechanisms or designing high throughput screens. In vitro models applied to aging research will complement existing animal models and human clinical investigations and drive discoveries in aging biology, new treatments, and clinical trials. The purpose of this session at AGE was to introduce cutting edge research using in vitro models of human tissues and organs and illustrate their potential for investigating the biology of aging and for drug discovery. This session informed the audience about the use of these models and their applications in aging research. For more information, please contact Tiziana Cogliati (301-496-6402; tiziana.cogliati@nih.gov ).

The NIA and National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Tenure-Track Investigator Symposium – May 28, 2025 – Hybrid

The event featured a series of presentations from current Tenure-Track Investigators from both NIA and NIDA. The Tenure-Track Investigator Symposium was co-sponsored by NIA. For more information, please contact Sarah Lewis (667-205-2604; sarah.lewis@nih.gov ).

Building Physiological Resilience: From Evolution to Interventions – June 12 – 13, 2025 – Virtual

This 2-day virtual workshop aimed to explore the biological, physiological, and clinical dimensions of physiological resilience, with a particular emphasis on how understanding evolutionary biology can inform novel interventions to enhance resilience across the lifespan. While resilience research has traditionally focused on clinical and epidemiological markers, emerging insights from evolutionary biology provide a critical framework for understanding how organisms have adapted to stress over time — and how these adaptations might be leveraged for therapeutic interventions. Sessions included how evolutionary biology and adaptation shape the body’s ability to withstand and recover from stressors; how contemporary evaluated systems contribute to resilience in today’s environment; growing evidence for strategies that enhance resilience; and the integration of novel data sources—such as the electronic medical record, wearables, and patient-reported outcomes—into resilience research. Experts in evolutionary biology, geriatrics, physiological resilience, and clinical trials attended the workshop to discuss findings from research studies, share their clinical experiences with physiological resilience, identify research gaps in the topic area and discuss opportunities for trials addressing these gaps. For more information, please contact Monica Serra (571-678-7260; monica.serra@nih.gov ).

20th Annual Division of Aging Biology New Investigators Forum (DAB-NIF) – June 26, 2025 – Virtual

The process of successfully navigating a grant from NIH/NIA can be daunting. New investigators are not always aware of federal regulations and policies governing their awards, the grants management and review process, progress reporting requirements, and areas of special interest or concern for their funding division. Indeed, new investigators learn many of these processes through personal trial and error with little guidance from their institutions or mentors, who may also be unfamiliar with these professional intricacies. In addition, networking with leaders in the field and cohort building with peers and near-peers is critical to career development. Building these relationships leads to productive/collaborative academic relationships, promotes retention in the field, and creates a safe space to open to different perspectives. Gaining knowledge in these areas is critical to new investigators to increase the odds of attaining a full-time OR tenure-track research position. Finally, small, scientific-niche learning environments provide opportunities for individualized attention, enabling tailored support to address the specific professional needs of each Principal Investigator (PI).

The purpose of the DAB-NIF was to bring together new investigators (i.e. PIs who are new to funding by DAB) to meet and interact with NIA program staff, at a one-day meeting and to gain an understanding of how NIA supports their newly funded work. Participants had the opportunity to network with each other and leaders in the field who were invited to participate. Previous DAB-NIF attendees are also invited to share their successes since attending DAB-NIF and how the experience influenced their career development. Each PI introduced themselves with a short talk on their newly funded science. Other activities include small group lunch discussions, presentations from DEA staff (training, scientific review, and grants management) and the office of clinical research. The goal is to fully integrate the new investigators into the DAB-NIA community. For more information, please contact Christy Carter (301-496-6402; christy.carter@nih.gov ).

Behavioral and Social Research on the Role of Immigration and Life Course Health and Aging – July 17 – 18, 2025 – Virtual

The goal of this virtual grantee meeting was to bring together grantees from RFA-AG-24-028 and RFA-AG-24-029 to discuss the status of their NIA-funded projects on older immigrant life course health and aging. This meeting enabled funded investigators to situate their research in thematic areas and fostered discussions about the importance and promise of studying immigration-related processes in older adult health and aging. This meeting served to increase grantees’ awareness of potential areas for research synergy and promote future collaboration. This overall activity addressed specific recommendations from the National Advisory Council on Aging to understand health disparities through research to improve the understanding of health disparities in aging and identified influences of macro-social trends on aging outcomes. Outputs from this initial meeting included awareness amongst investigators of what other projects are ongoing and where there is potential synergy. For more information, please contact Frank Bandiera (301-402-7629; frank.bandiera@nih.gov ) and Kaitlyn Lee (301-555-5555; kaitlyn.lee@nih.gov ).

The 29th Annual NIA IRP Scientific Retreat – July 22 – 23. 2025 – Baltimore, MD

IRP Trainees and researchers share posters and short presentations about their ongoing projects. The IRP hosts keynote speakers during both days. This year featured a Keynote Address from Dr. Jayanta “Jay” Bhattacharya, M.D., Ph.D., Director, NIH, as well as other talks from IRP trainees and researchers, including Dr. Luigi Ferrucci, Scientific Director, NIA, Dr. Michael Nalls, and Dr. Richard Spencer. For more information, please contact Angela Jackson (410-558-8110; angela.jackson3@nih.gov ).

NIH Geroscience Interest Group (GSIG) Webinars on Advances in Geroscience – July 31, 2025 & September 11, 2025 – Virtual

The NIH Geroscience Interest Group (GSIG) brings together NIH program staff and researchers working at the intersection of aging biology and chronic diseases. In 2025 and 2026, the GSIG is hosting a virtual webinar series focused on recent advances in the field. Many of these events will be open to the scientific community, and each event will feature expert speakers working in different areas of aging biology, geroscience, and chronic diseases. The first webinar on July 31, 2025, features two speakers – Dr. Michael Snyder, Stanford University, and Dr. Shin-Ichiro Imai, Washington University of St. Louis. The topics discussed in the first webinar include ageotypes, multi-omics analysis of aging, and interorgan communication in aging. The second webinar on September 11, 2025, will feature Dr. Michael Corley, UCSD, and will focus on aging, geroscience, and HIV. For more information, please contact Siobhan Addie (202-253-6015; siobhan.addie@nih.gov ).

Exploring HIV and Reproductive Aging at the U.S. Conference on HIV and AIDS – September 4, 2025 – Washington D. C.

The National Institute on Aging, The Office of AIDS Research and the Office of Research on Women’s Health collaborated with the Emory HIV and Aging Working Group, Ribbon, and The Well Project to organize a workshop focused on HIV and Reproductive Aging. As the population of women aging with HIV continues to grow, it is essential to deepen our understanding of the complex interplay between HIV, reproductive aging, and overall aging in women across the lifespan. While some attention has been given to menopause in this context, there is a critical need to broaden research to encompass the full spectrum of reproductive aging and how it affects aging related health outcomes. This workshop brought together community and leading experts in women’s health, HIV, and reproductive aging to explore the latest research with the goal to enhance our understanding of the biological, clinical, and psychosocial aspects of reproductive aging in women living with HIV. For more information, please contact Candice Beaubien (240-972-5490; candice.beaubien@nih.gov ).

Changing Ownership of Healthcare Entities in the U.S. – September 4 – 5, 2025 – Virtual

This two-day virtual event will bring together experts to examine how increasing vertical and horizontal integration and investment by private equity firms, real estate investment trusts, and other corporate entities is reshaping healthcare delivery across sectors such as hospitals, physician practices, long-term care, and hospices. The workshop, hosted by BSR, will explore implications for care quality, staffing, and patient outcomes, with a focus on both well-established and emerging research areas. It is guided by a steering committee composed of Dr. Jane Zhu (OHSU), Dr. Mark Unruh (Cornell University), and Dr. Zirui Song (Harvard University). For more information, please contact Priscilla Novak (571-201-5165; Priscilla.Novak@nih.gov ), Kriti Jain (301-594-9024; Kriti.Jain@nih.gov ) or Charles Le (301-402-0342; Charlie.le@nih.gov ).

Caenorhabditis Intervention Testing Program (CITP) Grantee and Steering Committee Meeting – September 12 – 13, 2025 – Hybrid and Novato, CA

This is the annual meeting of the CITP, a U01 cooperative agreement program. The scope of the meeting is to discuss the progress and accomplishments of the CITP, receive feedback from the external members of the Steering Committee, and plan for the following year. The data and issues discussed at the meeting help inform NIA leadership and the CITP Steering Committee about the CITP. The meeting will take place in-person at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging in Novato, California, and will also be available for virtual attendance for NIA staff. For more information, please contact Tiziana Cogliati (301-496-6402; tiziana.cogliati@nih.gov ) and Jennifer Fox (301-402-4816; jennifer.fox@nih.gov ).

Mitochondria and Aging: Time to Rethink – September 15, 2025 – Virtual

This virtual workshop was held on September 15, 2025, and brought together experts in the field to discuss emerging perspectives on mitochondrial biology and its relevance to the aging process. For more information, please contact Angela Jackson (410-558-8110; angela.jackson3@nih.gov )

Future Meetings

Inflammaging: Mechanisms, Markers, and Intervention Strategies – September 22 – 23, 2025 – Rockville, MD

Aging is associated with immune dysregulation and most older individuals develop chronic, sterile, low-grade inflammation - called inflammaging. Inflammaging is characterized by high levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which contributes to the pathogenesis of age-associated diseases. On September 22-23, 2025, the NIA in partnership with the trans-NIH Chronic Inflammation Working Group (CIWG) will host an in-person workshop on Inflammaging: Mechanisms, Markers, and Intervention Strategies. This workshop will focus on recent advances (molecular/cellular/immunological and technological) in our knowledge of inflammaging and its impact on the development and progression of age-associated chronic diseases.

The past few years have seen major advances in our knowledge of inflammation and aging, and improved methods to define immunological states. Notably, advances in single cell technologies have the potential to permit interrogation of epigenetic, molecular, and metabolic pathways responsible for phenotypic variation of immune cells during aging, including rare tissue resident populations, such as macrophages that play a pivotal role in regulating inflammation. The workshop will highlight recent advances, clarify mechanisms involved in accelerated development of inflammaging, chronic disease, and potential intervention strategies to prevent or slow down inflammaging and age-associated diseases. In addition, the workshop will promote collaboration between investigators. For more information, please contact Mulualem Tilahun (202-365-5886; mulualem.tilahun@nih.gov ).

Bilingual RFA Investigators Meeting – September 23 – 24, 2025 – Hybrid and Bethesda, MD

The second NIA-sponsored Bilingual RFA Investigators Meeting is scheduled for September 23-24, 2025, in Bethesda, MD. This meeting provides a forum for investigators funded under RFA-AG-23-001: Understanding the Role of Bilingualism in Cognitive Reserve/Resilience in Aging and AD/ADRD (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) to update the group on progress made since the last meeting, interact face-to-face to share ideas, forge collaborations, and discuss strategies to move the field forward. Meeting attendees will include funded RFA investigators and NIA staff. For more information, contact Matthew Sutterer (301-480-7694; matt.sutterer@nih.gov ) or Erin Harrell at (301-480-9627; erin.harrell@nih.gov ).

Immune Aging and Cancer Therapy Workshop – November 12 – 13, 2025 – Virtual

The Developmental Therapeutics Program of the Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis (DCTD) at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) is collaborating with NIA to organize a virtual workshop focusing on immune aging and cancer therapy response and toxicity. This workshop will facilitate the understanding of the current knowledge and research landscape of immune aging on cancer therapy. This workshop aims to bring subject matter experts together to communicate the research fronts in immune aging and cancer therapy and participate in cross-disciplinary discussions, with a goal to identify challenges and opportunities in this specific cancer and aging research area. For more information, please contact Mulualem Tilahun (202-365-5886; mulualem.tilahun@nih.gov ) and Max Guo (240-507-6286; qmguo@mail.nih.gov ).

Content, Media, Outreach, And Meetings

Web Content

Research Highlights: 1 published

Health Information Articles: 8 updated or new

Inside NIA Blog: 1 published

Print Publications and PDFs: 2 updated or new

Web Statements and Announcements: 2 published

Outreach

Infographics: 0 updated or new

Videos: 2 updated or new

Social Media

Email List Management Programs

Sent 54 separate messages from May 1 to July 31, 2025, to the following lists:

  • Healthy Aging Highlights: 85,887 subscribers
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Meetings

Meetings With External Audiences

  • Butler-Williams Scholars Program; August 25, 2025 – Dr. Richard Hodes provided welcoming remarks to the 2025 cohort of Butler-Williams Scholars.
  • Meeting with the Alzheimer’s Association; August 12, 2025 – Dr. Richard Hodes joined with NIH Director Dr. Jayanta Bhattacharya in a meeting with senior leadership of the Alzheimer’s Association. Collaborations and advancements in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and AD-related dementias (ADRD) research were discussed.
  • International AD/ADRD Research Funders Consortium (IADRC) Meeting; July 29, 2025 – Dr. Richard Hodes provided opening remarks for the meeting, highlighting the importance of global research and collaboration in AD/ADRD research.
  • International Society to Advance Alzheimer's Research and Treatment (ISTAART) Intermission, Alzheimer's Association International Conference® (AAIC); July 27, 2025 – Dr. Kenneth Santora, along with NIA training staff, participated in ISTAART Intermission, a roundtable networking event for early-career researchers at AAIC. Dr. Santora and staff shared information about NIA research and training opportunities.
  • Meeting with the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration; July 1, 2025 – Dr. Richard Hodes, Dr. Kenneth Santora, and NIA staff met with leaders of the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration, discussing research areas of mutual interest.
  • Marshall University West Virginia Wellness Conference: Empowering Healthy Aging and Longevity; June 17, 2025 – Dr. Richard Hodes shared remarks with conference attendees, detailing NIA’s scientific mission to promote healthy longevity and relevant research advancements.
  • CHARGE Investigator Conference; May 7, 2025 – Dr. Richard Hodes participated in the Cohorts for Heart and Aging Research in Genomic Epidemiology (CHARGE) Consortium Investigator Conference, discussing NIA-funded CHARGE longitudinal cohort studies and how they have enhanced understanding of age-related conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, cardiovascular disease, metabolic disease, sarcopenia, and frailty.
  • Center for Epidemiology and Population Health Seminar Series, Northwestern University Institute of Public Health and Medicine; April 30, 2025 – Dr. Richard Hodes delivered remarks as part of a series of presentations from NIH Institute Directors. Dr. Hodes provided an overview of NIA, including its research mission and areas of scientific emphasis and research progress.

New Notices and Initiatives Relevant to NIA

As announced in NOT-OD-25-143 , beginning in fiscal year 2026, NIH will no longer post notices of funding opportunities (NOFOs) in the NIH Guide. All NIA NOFOs will be posted to Grants.gov. NIH Highlighted Topics is the new centralized resource that informs the research community about particular areas of science of interest to NIH and ICs.