April 2025 Director’s Status Report

Legislation of Interest

Enacted legislation

• On Dec. 11, 2024, Biden signed into law H.R. 7218 , which reauthorizes the BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Act through 2029. The bill passed the House of Representatives on Sept. 17, 2024, and the Senate on Nov. 21, 2024.

• On Oct. 1, 2024, the president signed into law both S.133 , the NAPA Reauthorization Act, and S.134 , the Alzheimer’s Accountability and Investment Act. These laws:

  • Extend the National Alzheimer’s Project Act (NAPA) through 2035.
  • Extend the requirement that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) submit a professional judgment budget through 2035.
  • Make additional changes to the underlying NAPA legislation (e.g., expand the size of the advisory committee).

Introduced legislation

(Note that the bills below did not clear both the House and Senate before the end of the 118th Congress. As a result, they are now expired and would need to be reintroduced in the 119th Congress for further consideration.)

• On Dec. 18, 2024, Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) introduced H.R. 10484 , the Securing Equal Access to Research, Care, and Health (SEARCH) Act. If enacted, the bill would have directed the secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to carry out a public health campaign to increase participation of women in clinical trials.
• On Dec. 10, 2024, the Senate unanimously passed S. 4776 , the Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act. If enacted, the bill would have reauthorized Older Americans Act programs through FY29 and require the White House to hold a conference on aging before the end of calendar year 2025.
• On Dec. 3, 2024, Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) introduced S.5418 , a bill which, if enacted, would have authorized grants for training and support services for families and caregivers of people living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
• On Nov. 21, 2024, Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) introduced H.R. 10192 , the Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Act. If enacted, the bill would have provided grants to organizations to expand training and support services for families and unpaid caregivers of people living with Alzheimer’s and related dementias.
• On Nov. 20, 2024, Rep. Ami Bera (D-CA) introduced H.R. 10175 , the Global Alzheimer’s Initiative Now (GAIN) Act. If enacted, the bill would have authorized U.S. participation in and contributions to the Davos Alzheimer’s Collaborative.
• On Sept. 17, 2024, the House passed:
  • R. 6160 , legislation that, if enacted, would have reauthorized through 2029 the Lifespan Respite Care Program
  • R. 7406 , legislation that, if enacted, would have authorized the INCLUDE (INvestigation of Co-occurring conditions across the Lifespan to Understand Down syndromE) Project and continue funding for Down syndrome research at $90 million annually for the next five years
• On Aug. 20, 2024, Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN) introduced H.R. 9383 , the Social Engagement and Network Initiatives for Older Relief (SENIOR) Act. If enacted, the bill would have amended the Older Americans Act to include screening for loneliness and coordination of supportive services and health care to address the negative health effects of loneliness.
• On Aug. 1, 2024, Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Rep. Nanette Diaz Barragán (D-CA) introduced the Compassionate Care Act ( S. 4949 and H.R. 9237 , respectively). If enacted, the bills would have established several provisions to improve and promote advance care planning and end-of-life care.
• On July 31, 2024, Sen. Richard Durbin (D-IL) introduced S. 4879 , the American Cures Act. If enacted, the bill would have prioritized funding for an expanded and sustained national investment in biomedical research.
• On July 30, 2024, Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) introduced S. 4855 , the National Resource Center for Engaging Older Adults Act. If enacted, the bill would have authorized the provision of appropriate training, resources, and best practices to address negative health effects associated with social isolation among older adults.
• On July 30, 2024, Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) introduced S. 4867 , the Housing Options for Older Adults Act. If enacted, the bill would have required the Government Accountability Office to conduct and submit to Congress within two years a study analyzing housing programs and services for older adults under the Older Americans Act.
• On July 24, 2024, Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL) introduced H.R. 9119 , the Alzheimer’s Law Enforcement Education Act. If enacted, the bill would have required the Department of Justice to establish, in consultation with the secretary of health and human services and the administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, a training course for law enforcement on recognizing and interacting with people living with Alzheimer’s and related dementias.

Hearings, Visits, and Other Topics of Interest

Hearings

• On Nov. 19, 2024, NIH Director Dr. Monica Bertagnolli testified on the FY25 NIH budget request before the House Appropriations subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (LHHS).
• On Nov. 14, 2024, NIH Principal Deputy Director Dr. Lawrence Tabak testified before the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic.

Briefings

• On Nov. 19, 2024, Dr. Mulualem Tilahun, a program officer in NIA’s Division of Aging Biology, briefed the staff of D.C. Councilmember Vincent Gray on immunosenescence.
• On Oct. 18, 2024, NIA Deputy Director Dr. Amy Kelley led an NIH Lunch & Learn briefing on healthy aging.
• On Sept. 23, 2024, NIH and NIA legislative staff met with the staff of Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS) to discuss the senator’s ongoing interest in Ensuring Useful Research Expenditures is Key for Alzheimer’s (EUREKA) prize competitions.
• On Sept. 11, 2024, Dr. Richard J. Hodes briefed the staff of the House and Senate LHHS Appropriations subcommittees on Alzheimer’s and related dementias research.

Conferences/Workshops

• On Dec. 11, 2024, the White House held a conference on women’s health research.
• On Oct. 29, 2024, Hodes and Dr. Chhanda Dutta, chief of the Clinical Gerontology Branch in NIA’s Division of Geriatrics and Clinical Gerontology, participated in an NIH workshop on the White House Initiative on Women’s Health Research.

Visits

• On Oct. 11, 2024, staff from the House LHHS Appropriations subcommittee visited NIH. During the visit, staff toured the NIH Intramural Center for Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias (CARD).

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Staff Changes

Aziz Abubshait, Ph.D.,joined the Division of Behavioral and Social Research (BSR) as an AAAS science and technology policy fellow in the Office of Data Resources and Analytics (ODRA). In this role, Abubshait works on initiatives related to the use and development of artificial intelligence (AI) that is used in research on aging and Alzheimer’s and related dementias. Abubshait’s responsibilities also include organizing scientific meetings, developing funding announcements, and generating portfolio analyses. Abubshait received his Ph.D. in human factors and applied cognitive psychology from George Mason University and completed his post-doc training at the Italian Institute of Technology in the Department of Robotics.

Jerry Antone joined the Intramural Research Program (IRP) as a biologist at CARD. Antone will be teaching new techniques and working with new protocols in order to deploy them at CARD. Before joining CARD, Antone was a research associate II/III at the Translational Genomics Research Institute.

Paula Acevedo, B.B.A., M.P.A.,joined the Division of Extramural Activities (DEA) in the Grants and Contracts Management Branch (GCMB) as a grants management specialist. She was previously with the Indian Health Service, where she managed the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) process and worked with HHS on their Simpler NOFOs initiative, participated in the planning of merit reviews for applications received, approved federal financial reports, and completely closed out awards, on top of managing a grant portfolio. Acevedo originally joined NIH in 2018 at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), where she managed a workload that included HIV/AIDS Clinical Trial Units and Clinical Research Sites, and Centers for AIDS Research awards. During her time at NIAID, she served as employer identification number coordinator, conducted training for new staff, and was the initiative coordinator for the NIAID Research Education Program, Resource Related Research Projects, and Research Education Awards. Acevedo holds a master of public administration degree from American University and a bachelor of business administration degree from Florida Atlantic University.

Smriti Aryal, M.S.,joined DEA as a program specialist in the Office of the Director (OD). She comes to NIA from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), where she was a management analyst contractor and supported the Innovation and Commercialization Office within the Division of Extramural Research and Activities. She will manage National Advisory Council on Aging meeting materials, the extramural data package, the special council review report, and other important tasks for DEA. She received her master’s in administration in human services from Wilmington University, Delaware, and B.S. in heath education with minor in health care administration from Morgan State University.

Murat Bilgel, Ph.D.,joined the IRP as a staff scientist 1 (facility head) in the Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience (LBN). Bilgel will serve as head of the recently established NeuroImage Analysis Core, managing projects and collaborations through project initiation, strategy development, strategic planning, execution, and closeout phases. He will serve as an expert in the quantification and statistical analysis of MRI and PET neuroimages, including the development of analytic pipelines for image processing and image harmonization across scanners and sites. Bilgel joined the Brain Aging and Behavioral Section (BABS), LBN, as a predoctoral fellow in 2012. He received his Ph.D. in biomedical engineering from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in 2016 and became a postdoctoral fellow before converting to research fellow in the LBN. In 2018, Bilgel became a staff scientist 1 in BABS, LBN, and in 2022, Bilgel received the staff scientist honorific title designation of associate scientist.

Michael Butler, Ph.D., joined the Scientific Review Branch (SRB) as a scientific review officer (SRO). Butler received his Ph.D. in neuroscience from Florida State University and comes to the SRB from the Ohio State University, where he was a postdoctoral researcher and then a senior research scientist. His expertise includes neuroimmunology, aging biology, and metabolic function. At NIA, Butler will use his expertise to facilitate the assembly of review panels for a variety of funding mechanisms and aging topics.

Toni Carruba, M.P.S.,joined the Division of Neuroscience (DN) as a clinical trials specialist in the Clinical Interventions and Diagnostics Branch (CIDB). She will be supporting the CIDB branch chief and clinical trials program directors in monitoring clinical trial recruitment and enrollment performance utilizing the NIA’s Clinical Research Operations & Management System (CROMS). Before joining NIA, Carruba worked as a lead research project coordinator for University of Maryland, Baltimore, managing the ear, nose, and throat clinic department’s study portfolio. Prior to that, she also worked as a lead coordinator and lead cognitive rater for the Johns Hopkins Memory and Alzheimer’s Research Center on various clinical trials.

Towanda Cobia joined the IRP as a program specialist in the Recruitment and Strategic Planning Section of the Office of the Scientific Director (OSD). She has been supporting Title 42 recruitment efforts, OSD-hosted events, and other IRP-wide initiatives. Cobia comes to us from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, where she served for 14 years as a program analyst within the Office of Human Capital. She holds a master’s degree in nonprofit management from the University of Maryland Global Campus and a bachelor’s in business administration from Bowie State University.

Stephanie Courchesne, Ph.D., became the chief of staff in DN. She comes to DN from the NIH Office of Strategic Coordination (OSC), the office that manages the NIH Common Fund. She has served in several positions at OSC, most recently as senior advisor to the director. Over the past 14 years at OSC, Courchesne has been involved with a robust portfolio of Common Fund programs, including basic, translational, and clinical research programs that span the entire NIH mission. As a key member of OSC’s leadership team, she has extensive expertise in scientific program strategy, policy development, and organizational strategy. She directed all of OSC’s legislative and strategic planning activities and has previously overseen OSC’s communications and program evaluation efforts. Courchesne earned her Ph.D. in neuroscience from Harvard University, where her research focused on neurotrophin signaling in the development of sensory and motor neurons, as well as pathological disease states that occur when neurotrophin signaling and downstream cellular responses are altered.

Bria Craven joined DEA/OD as a staff assistant, managing administrative functions for DEA/OD leadership. She began her federal government career in 2021 with NIH’s Division of Police, providing diverse administrative, technical, and program management support to the chief of police and the NIH Division of Police branches. Prior to her government role, she spent six years at the Center for Advanced Orthopedics, where she held dual roles as an administrative assistant and customer service representative, acting as a liaison between physicians, attorneys, paralegals, and patients.

Alexandra DeCasien, Ph.D.,joined the IRP as an Earl Stadtman tenure-track investigator 1 in the Laboratory of Neurogenetics. DeCasien oversees the Computational and Evolutionary Neurogenomics Unit. The unit will apply concepts and methods from computational biology and evolutionary neuroscience to address major gaps in the understanding of the human brain and its diseases. In particular, the unit will analyze large datasets using state-of-the-art approaches in genomics, neuroimaging, and comparative biology to identify molecular candidates for translational research. DeCasien earned a Ph.D. in biological anthropology from New York University in 2021. After receiving this degree, Dr. DeCasien joined the Section on Developmental Neurogenetics within the National Institute of Mental Health as a postdoctoral fellow and studied age, sex, and species-related brain variation and the linking of these patterns to disease mechanisms.

Megan C. Edmonds, Ph.D., M.P.H., joined SRB as an SRO in the Social and Behavioral Sciences section. Edmonds is a social behavioral health scientist with a background in health services research and expertise in social epidemiology and health disparities research. She received her Ph.D. in social and behavioral sciences from Virginia Commonwealth University, where she published research and examined breast cancer disparities to improve cancer survivorship outcomes in racial/ethnic minority patients. As an NIA T32 postdoctoral fellow in cancer prevention and control at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, she presented research at national conferences and was awarded a pilot award from Stand Up to Cancer to investigate breast cancer surveillance care delivery in health system settings. She was also awarded a National Cancer Institute (NCI) LRP award through Health Disparities Research from NIH NCI. Before joining NIH, Edmonds was faculty at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Public Health. In that role, she served as a member at Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center where she led cancer disparities research. Edmonds has published research to address disparities in cancer outcomes and achieve health equity in cancer treatment and screenings, genetic counseling and testing, and obesity. Edmonds offers a well-rounded perspective and research experience in population health to SRB.

Dionne Edwards recently joined NIA’s Office of Legislation, Policy, and International Activities as a program specialist. Edwards has diverse experience in operations support and administrative services from across her prior professional roles. Before coming to NIA, Edwards worked in the National Library of Medicine’s (NLM) Office of the Director, where she managed complex schedules, coordinated highly sensitive meetings, and ensured optimal organizational workflows while enhancing administrative efficiency. Prior to her role at NLM, Edwards worked at Delfi Diagnostics as an administrative operations specialist, where she coordinated project planning and data analysis, in addition to creating, implementing, and streamlining various human resources procedures and programs. At Delfi, Edwards also provided support to the chief human resources officer. Edwards received her bachelor of science in business from Bowie State University.

Polina Fenik, M.S.,joined DN as a scientific program specialist supporting the Neurobiology of Aging and Neurodegeneration Branch. Prior to joining NIH, she served as a research specialist D at the University of Pennsylvania, School of Medicine, where her research focused on identifying the molecular mechanisms underlying neural injury in sleep disorders and sleep disruption. She was actively involved in mentoring junior researchers and participated in the design and execution of various experiments, contributing to the advancement of scientific knowledge in her field. She obtained her master’s degree at the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Ukraine.

Randi Freundlich, B.S., R.D.,joined GCMB as a grants management specialist. Before joining NIH, she began her journey in the grants field while working at the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. She has a 23-year tenure at NIH. Her government grants career started at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Five years later, Freundlich transitioned to the National Institute of Nursing Research, where she spent 17 years managing a broad portfolio that included research grants, career awards, fellowships, training grants, and small business grants.

Heather Gomez-Bendaña, Ph.D., M.P.H., joined BSR as a presidential management fellow (health specialist) in ODRA. Her work includes supporting activities related to open science and data sharing in behavioral and social science. Prior to this role, she worked as a social science research analyst in the Social Security Administration and was an assistant policy researcher at the RAND Corporation. Her research areas include disability policy, health disparities, child welfare, and education policy. Earlier in her career, she was also a program coordinator at the Green Family Foundation Neighborhood Health Education Learning Program at Florida International University and a high school teacher in Hialeah, Florida. She received her Ph.D. in policy analysis from Pardee RAND Graduate School, her M.P.H. from Florida International University, specializing in health promotion and disease prevention, and her B.S. in biology from Florida State University.

Julia Gray, M.S., joined DN as a data management and sharing analyst. She comes to NIA from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), where she was a scientific program analyst contractor and supported the implementation of the NIH Data Management and Sharing Policy in the Division of Extramural Research. Before joining NIEHS, she held the position of research lab supervisor in the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center Fluid Biomarker Core in the Department of Neurology at Washington University in St. Louis, where she managed research operations for numerous clinical and nonclinical grants and contracts and grants that focused on the use of fluid biomarkers to predict disease progression in Alzheimer’s and related dementias. Prior to this, she was a grant specialist at the McDonnell Genome Institute at Washington University, where she coordinated and submitted grant applications and developed best practices for the institute’s grant operations. During her time working at Washington University, she obtained a master’s in biostatistics and data science and a B.S. in psychological and brain sciences. She also holds a B.S. in biology from the University of Missouri, St. Louis.

Hsiao Yu (Christina) Fang, Ph.D., joined DN as a health scientist administrator (program officer) in the Behavioral and Systems Neuroscience Branch. Fang manages a portfolio of motor function and motor disorders in the context of aging and neurodegenerative diseases. Prior to joining NIA, Fang was a scientific program manager at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) where she worked on several major partnerships, initiatives, and programs, including the Accelerating Medicines Partnership® Parkinson’s Disease, the Parkinson’s Disease Biomarkers Program, the Parkinson’s Disease Biospecimen Review Access Committee, and Brain Research Through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies®. Fang earned her B.S. in life sciences from National Tsing Hua University and her Ph.D. in genetics from the University of Cambridge. Under the guidance of Prof. Alfonso Martinez-Arias at Cambridge, she studied the role of wingless and notch signaling in the drosophila midgut. She then joined the laboratory of Dr. Edward Giniger in the NINDS Intramural Research Program as a postdoctoral fellow, where she used a novel 3D live imaging system to study neuronal growth.

Patsy Hayden, M.A., joined DEA as a program specialist in the Office of Strategic Extramural Programs (OSEP). At OSEP, Hayden will play a key role in the administrative coordination for the office, including managing travel, purchasing, and meeting coordination. Prior to joining NIA, Hayden served in several administrative roles and was most recently an executive assistant (contractor) at the Fogarty International Center within NIH.

Christa Herold joined the IRP as a biologist in the LBN. In this role, Herold oversees the cognitive behavioral testing of nonhuman primates in Dr. Rapp’s lab in Poolesville, Maryland. She is responsible for all areas of managing the primate lab from the procurement of laboratory supplies and laboratory equipment to novel enrichment items for the primates. Herold also continues to maintain an ongoing schedule of longitudinal testing in the aging primate colony as well as maintaining the health of this colony. Before joining as a biologist, Herold was a contractor at the NIH Animal Center in LBN since 2011.

Angela Jackson joined the IRP as a program specialist in the Recruitment and Strategic Planning Section of the OSD. She has been supporting Title 42 recruitment efforts, OSD-hosted events, and other IRP-wide initiatives. Jackson comes to us from the U.S. Military Entrance Processing Command, 12th Battalion, in Fort Meade, Maryland.

Tanisha Jackson, Ph.D., joined the Population Studies and Genetics Branch in DN as a health scientist administrator, program director for training. Jackson will manage the portfolio of training grants focused on the epidemiology of Alzheimer’s and related dementias as well as the genetics and functional genomics of Alzheimer’s and related dementias. Before joining NIA, Jackson was the scientific program director at the Melanoma Research Alliance, where she managed a diverse grant portfolio supporting melanoma research. Prior to that, she served as the assistant director for research development and diversity initiatives at Columbia University’s Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, where she spearheaded internal cancer research funding programs and advanced initiatives promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. Jackson began her career in translational research as an associate research scientist in the Department of Rheumatology at the New York University School of Medicine, where she developed a novel model of neonatal lupus. She completed her postdoctoral training at the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, investigating B cell tolerance and the genetics of lupus. Her doctoral research at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and Emory University explored B cell development and inhibitory signaling in cancer. Jackson earned her Ph.D. in microbiology from the University of Alabama, Birmingham and her B.S. in biology from Spelman College. She is highly experienced in managing complex research portfolios and cultivating collaborations between academia, industry, and nonprofits, and is deeply committed to fostering inclusive and equitable research environments and addressing health disparities.

Dinesh John, Ph.D., joined BSR as the program director for the Digital Health and Technology Solutions portfolio in the Individual Behavior Processes Branch (IBP). Prior to his conversion as the program director, John worked as an Intergovernmental Personnel Act Mobility Program participant in IBP within BSR’s Digital Health portfolio. His portfolio develops aging and Alzheimer’s-related research in areas such as mobile health, passive and active sensing, wearables, affective computing, ubiquitous computing, health information technology, telemedicine, and just-in-time adaptive behavioral interventions. John has a degree in exercise physiology from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and completed postdoctoral training at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Prior to serving with NIA, John and his students at Northeastern University, Boston worked on applications that facilitate a practical and meaningful integration of digital health technology to improve health outcomes during the life-course and in the aging population.

Kaleen Ly joined SRB as an extramural support assistant. She earned a bachelor of arts in public health at University of Maryland, Baltimore County. She previously worked as a Pathways student intern for the Office of Pain Policy and Planning at NINDS. She is currently pursuing a master’s in Public Health at University of Maryland, College Park.

Leonie Misquitta, Ph.D.,joined the Office of Clinical Research (OCR) as a program manager in the Regulatory, Policy, and Safety Branch. She will oversee the Clinical Research Support Services contract. Misquitta joins NIA from the HHS Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy/Office of the National Coordinator (ONC) for Health Information Technology. In that role, she served as the contracting officer's representative on multiple contracts, providing strategic oversight to improve interoperability and standards alignment for the scalable use of health information technology across HHS and industry. Prior to joining ONC, she directed a portfolio for data science, biomedical, and translational informatics for NIH. She has a Ph.D. in molecular genetics from Devi Ahilya University in Indore, India. She is an NIH COSWD 21st Century Scholars Program alumna and strongly believes in scientific and workforce equity and diversity.

Allie Mitchell joined DN as a clinical trials specialist, providing oversight of clinical trial activities and reporting across the division. She serves as a scientific and administrative resource to program staff. She most recently worked as an onsite contractor for OCR, where she engaged in clinical research oversight, policy development, and program management. In her role with OCR, Mitchell acted as the internal subject matter expert for NIA’s CROMS, an informatics tool created to assess performance of all NIA-funded clinical trials. In addition, she focused on initiatives to improve diverse and equitable inclusion in clinical research and oversaw strategic communication efforts. Prior to her work at NIA, Mitchell worked under the mentorship of Dr. Barry Condron at the University of Virginia to conduct research focused on neural circuits underlying cooperative behavior and synaptic plasticity. She is dedicated to advancing health equity, increasing trial accessibility, and shaping policy to improve the lives of people living with Alzheimer’s and related dementias.

Elliot Murphy, Ph.D., joined the Cell Biology Branch of the Division of Aging Biology (DAB) as a scientific program specialist. Murphy earned his Ph.D. in microbiology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham where he employed structural biology and biophysical techniques, such as nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and mass spectrometry, as tools for understanding the molecular determinants of HIV-1 virus assembly. He subsequently transitioned into a postdoctoral fellowship at the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. During his postdoc, Murphy investigated the mechanistic basis for substrate recognition by the zDHHC family of protein acyltransferases via structural and biochemical analysis. Throughout his research career, Murphy focused his efforts on utilizing a wide range of scientific tools to better understand biological processes directly associated with principal human health concerns.

Dawnette Murdock, M.S., joined OCR as a staff assistant and will support the office leadership with project management and administrative support. She joins us from the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health, where she served as the point of contact for administrative processes, including travel, timekeeping, and human resources activities. She also planned, implemented, and evaluated office initiatives, strategies, and special projects. Murdock has an M.S. in human services administration from the University of Baltimore.

Tom O’Farrell, Ph.D., joined SRB as an SRO in the Special Review Section. He earned a Ph.D. in biochemistry from the University of Tennessee, Memphis. He did a postdoctoral fellowship at the NIA IRP Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Immunology in lymphoma growth mechanisms. He was a scientific review officer for the Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Research and Development for eight years and later worked in the Office of the Science Advisor, developing cross-agency science policy. In 2021, he became an SRO at the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.

Apua Paquola, Ph.D., joined the IRP as a biologist (bioinformatics) in the Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics. In this role, Paquola will be involved in the implementation of computer technologies used in analyzing data. Before joining as a biologist (bioinformatics), Paquola was a research scientist at the Lieber Institute for Brain Development since June 2017, as well as an assistant professor at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in the Department of Neurology since October 2017.

Yue (Andy) Qi, Ph.D.,joined the IRP as a staff scientist 1 in CARD. Qi will serve as an expert in proteomic technologies, including mass spectrometry and the application of high-multiplex, high-throughput proteomic assays including next generation sequencing-based proteomics. He will be responsible for the management of projects and collaborations through the project initiation, strategy development, strategic planning, execution, and closeout phases of projects. Qi received his Ph.D. in pharmaceutical sciences from Wayne State University in Detroit in 2017. After receiving his doctoral degree, Qi became a postdoctoral fellow at NCI from 2017 to 2019. In 2019, he joined CARD as a scientist (contractor). Before he transitioned to the staff scientist role, Qi led the proteomic expert group within CARD, which focuses on large-scale “omic” data generation and collaboration with CARD investigators and affiliated projects.

Max Rajan, M.D., M.S.,joined SRB as an SRO in the Clinical Sciences Section. He completed his B.S. and M.S. in chemical and biological engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology and holds a medical degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago. He completed his internal medicine residency at the University of Tennessee Medical Center. For the past 10 years, Rajan has been working full time on the initiation and management of clinical trials at NIAID, starting at the Division of Microbiology and Infectious Disease in 2015 and moving to the Division of AIDS in 2020. His expertise spans Phase 1-3 trials, domestic and international, where he worked closely with academic and industry partners and regulatory bodies.

Alex Runko, Ph.D., joined DN as a program director in the Translational Research Branch. After completing his Ph.D. in neurodevelopment at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Runko completed his postdoctoral training at the NINDS Intramural Program, conducting research into the genetic and molecular mechanisms responsible for brain degeneration diseases and aging. Following his postdoctoral training, Runko joined the Neurodegeneration Cluster at NINDS as a health scientist administrator, managing and conducting scientific and administrative reviews and analyses of grant applications of basic, clinical, and translational research. Runko also worked at NHLBI as a genomic program administrator and served as the Data Access Committee chair for the database of Genotypes and Phenotypes (dbGaP), where he managed the access and data use of genetic and phenotypic datasets. Before joining NIA, Runko was the director of the Division of Investigative Oversight in the HHS Office of Research Integrity, where he led the handling and oversight of allegations and cases of research misconduct in U.S. Public Health Service-funded research.

Evan Serge, M.P.H., joined BSR as a data scientist in ODRA. Serge will work on initiatives related to real-world data and federal data partnerships. Serge previously worked with ODRA in a contractor role and recently converted to a full-time BSR staff member. He has a decade of experience in the video advertising industry, where he performed and managed a variety of analytics projects. Serge earned his master of public health from the University of Michigan, as well as his master of communication and bachelor of communication from Virginia Tech.

Anita Tandle, Ph.D., joined SRB as chief of the Special Review Section in SRB. Tandle received her Ph.D. in microbiology with a focus on molecular biology of head and neck cancers from Mumbai University, India. She comes to SRB from the Division of Extramural Activities at NCI, where she served as an SRO, supporting extramural research activities. Her expertise includes basic, translational, and clinical cancer research, drug development, and targeted drug delivery. At NIA, Tandle will use her expertise to manage a team of SROs to help carry out extramural activities related to aging research.

Allison (Allie) Walker joined DEA as a training analyst in OSEP. At OSEP, Walker develops and maintains training and career development funding lists, conducts program portfolio analyses, and provides expert advice on training and career development programs’ planning, budget management, and policy compliance. Prior to joining OSEP, Walker was a social science analyst in BSR’s IBP for three years, where she conducted program administration activities and communicated scientific findings and programmatic activities to a variety of audiences.

Lizhen (Jenny) Wang, Ph.D., joined DEA/OD as health scientist administrator to manage extramural receipt and referral functions. Wang is an accomplished scientist in scientific project management, data analytics, and mentorship. She received her Ph.D. in molecular and cancer biology from McMaster University, Canada, and a B.Sc. in biochemistry from Sun Yat-Sen University, China. Before joining NIA, she served as a research lab manager and biologist at the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, including cutting-edge research on the mechanisms of hearing loss and treatment strategies. In addition, Wang completed a two-year fellowship in the Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics at the National Human Genome Research Institute, where she honed her skills in clinical genetics, variant annotation, and genetic counseling. She is a certified diplomate to the American Board of Medical Genetics and Genomics.

Kayla Wallace joined SRB as an extramural support assistant. She is an NIH premier college student trainee. She has previously completed a Pathways internship through HHS in addition to serving the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service through the Albuquerque Service Center. She is a psychology major at Bowie State University and will be graduating with a bachelor of science in June 2025.

Jean Yuan, M.D., Ph.D., joined DEA as supervisory health scientist administrator serving as the deputy chief of OD. In her new role, she will provide leadership support to the DEA director and deputy director by overseeing the management and strategic direction of key DEA extramural research program functions and DEA/OD operations. Before joining NIA, Yuan served as the branch chief for bioinformatics and computational biology at the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS). Yuan represented NIGMS as the data science/bioinformatics liaison, collaborating closely with NIH ICs, the Office of Data Science Strategy, and the National Science Foundation on a joint program in mathematical biology. Prior to joining NIGMS, Yuan was a senior program director at NIA, where she managed portfolios in data science, translational bioinformatics, drug development, and precision medicine for Alzheimer’s. She also worked at the NIH Center for Scientific Review, overseeing scientific review activities in biomedical computing, health informatics, mobile health technology, smart devices, and SBIR health informatics and mobile health. Yuan received her M.S. in computer science and Ph.D. in bioinformatics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and M.D. in clinical pathology from Peking University, China.

Staff Honors

Dr. Andrew Singleton, director of CARD, has been selected for the 2024 NextGen Public Service Innovator of the Year Award. The Innovator of the Year Award recognizes individuals who have identified and improved their organization in an innovative way, through remote/hybrid work, bringing a process up to date, or finding a way to enhance virtual culture at their agency. As director of CARD, Singleton has created mechanisms for the inclusion of scientists across NIH to participate in Alzheimer’s and related dementias projects in support of CARD’s mission. He developed CARD’s scientific agenda, articulating this into projects as well as governing aspects of CARD related to personnel and budget. Singleton has spearheaded the creation of the scientific infrastructure necessary to execute the vision of CARD. He is one of 12 NextGen Award Winners and was recognized at the virtual NextGen Government Training Summit on Oct. 23, 2024. To read more about this award, please visit NextGen Public Service Awards (govloop.com).

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Past Meetings

Common Data Elements Webinar Series — April-December 2024 — VIRTUAL

From April to December 2024, NIA hosted a webinar series on Common Data Elements (CDE). These webinars allowed the NIA community to connect with Alzheimer’s and related dementias and aging research while facilitating discussions about resulting research findings and other information as it relates to CDEs. The first webinar took place on April 16, on the topic of “Data Harmonization in Research on Epidemiology of Aging.” The second webinar took place on May 3, on the topic of “Systematic Data Harmonization Enabled by Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and Large Language Models (LLM).” The third webinar took place on June 7, on the topic of “Application of Computational Data Harmonization Approaches to Study the Structure and Function of Alzheimer’s Disease and Alzheimer’s Disease Related Dementias (AD/ADRD).” The fourth webinar took place on July 12, on the topic of “Data Harmonization of Large Digital Technology Datasets for Aging and Dementia Research in the Context of Short Technology Life Cycles.” The fifth and final webinar took place on Dec. 6, on the topic of “Harmonization of Cognition Assessment Measures.” For more information, contact Karyn Onyeneho (DN, karyn.onyeneho@nih.gov ) or Irim Azam (BSR, irim.azam@nih.gov ).

APOE Genetics as a Major Determinant of Alzheimer’s Disease Pathobiology — Sept. 5-6, 2024 — Bethesda, MD/HYBRID

This workshop brought together investigators who have intensely investigated the effects of APOE on the brain, the mechanism of disease, and new technologies centered on APOE for the successful identification of genetically driven therapeutic approaches. The expertise of investigators ranging from genetics, molecular biology, functional genomics, and AI/ML fields also presented the latest findings across diverse populations both in terms of global and local genetic ancestries. Discussion of supported research examined why APOE ε4 risk differs dramatically among populations and how these differences can be leveraged to better understand Alzheimer’s pathobiology. During the two-day meeting, participants explored the best next steps to develop study approaches that will pinpoint the molecular, genetic, and epigenetic factors associated with APOE risk for Alzheimer’s. Information provided at this workshop is likely to generate new mechanistic insights into APOE impact in the brain and its multivariate cell types. An executive summary of the meeting and the recordings of the videocast have been made available to the research community through the workshop website. For more information, contact Marilyn Miller ( marilyn.miller@nih.gov ), Michael Bennani ( michael.bennani@nih.gov ), and Tiffany Rolle ( tiffany.rolle@nih.gov ).

Cognitive Training for Older Adults — Sept. 30, Oct. 4, Oct. 18, Nov. 6, 2024 — VIRTUAL

The BSR-sponsored Cognitive Training webinar series explored key issues in cognitive training with the goal of identifying research gaps and opportunities to advance the field. For the webinar series, cognitive training was defined as interventions using cognitive tasks or intellectually demanding activities, the goal of which is to enhance general cognitive ability or cognitive functioning in the real world. Over the course of five webinars, key questions explored included: Does cognitive training generalize (i.e., transfer to real world function)? How? For whom does cognitive training work? And why? And in what context? What can we do to make cognitive training work better? For more information, contact Melissa Treviño ( melissa.trevino@nih.gov ) and Marianna Molina ( marianna.molina@nih.gov ).

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) Committee on Population (CPOP) Meeting on Health and Disability Among Working-Age Adults: Trends, Disparities, and Implications for Employment and Federal Programs — Oct. 15-16, 2024 — VIRTUAL

This BSR-sponsored NASEM workshop focused on trends and disparities in disability and disabling morbidity among the working-age population (ages 25-64), sources and social/economic factors influencing these trends, and implications for employment and public programs. This workshop also explored the interactions of these trends with changing occupational distributions for accessibility and work capacity and the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on working conditions. After the workshop, a summary of the presentations and discussions were prepared by a designated rapporteur in accordance with NASEM institutional guidelines. For more information, contact Kriti Jain ( kriti.jain@nih.gov ), Amelia Karraker ( amelia.karraker@nih.gov ), or Shanna Breil ( shanna.breil@nih.gov ).

Leveraging Adaptive Technology (“Just-in-Time”) Interventions for Aging and Alzheimer’s Disease and Alzheimer’s Disease-related Dementias (AD/ADRD) — Oct. 17, 2024 — VIRTUAL

Several meetings convened by NASEM and NIA have emphasized the need for non-pharmacological approaches to address risks factors for healthy aging and Alzheimer’s and related dementias. Just-in-Time Adaptive Interventions is an exciting approach that can be implemented through a combination of mobile and sensor technologies to monitor the state and context of an individual and provide the appropriate amount and type of intervention at the right time. In collaboration with DN and the Division of Geriatrics and Clinical Gerontology (GCG), BSR led an interdisciplinary workshop that explored various topics related to the development and deployment of digital health-based adaptive interventions and identified pertinent research gaps that need support to enable the development of meaningful interventions aimed at reducing the risks for health aging and Alzheimer’s and related dementias. For more information, contact Dinesh John ( dinesh.john@nih.gov ) or Luke Stoeckel ( Luke.Stoeckel@nih.gov ).

Unraveling the Complexity of Protein Polymorphism and Strains: Mechanistic Discoveries in AD/ADRD — Oct. 29-30, 2024 — Bethesda, MD/HYBRID

This workshop convened leading experts to explore recent advances in the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying Alzheimer’s and related dementias. Key discussions focused on the functional annotation of pathways involved in amyloid strain self-assembly, propagation, and clearance; the identification of cofactors and receptors modulating strain dynamics; and the development of strain-specific imaging tools. Presentations highlighted cutting-edge techniques such as cryo-electron microscopy, cryo-electron tomography, and native mass spectrometry, emphasizing their roles in structural-based design to inhibit amyloid aggregation. The event fostered collaboration and laid the groundwork for novel therapeutic strategies, underscoring the importance of integrating structural biology with translational research. For more information, contact Austin Yang ( austin.yang@nih.gov ).

Dementia With Lewy Bodies: Filling the Gaps in Translational and Clinical Research workshop — Nov. 12-13, 2024 — Bethesda, MD/HYBRID

NIA and NINDS cosponsored this workshop, aimed at expanding the knowledge base in medical and associated sciences by bringing interdisciplinary researchers to discuss filling the gaps in translational and clinical research of dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). More than 300 individuals attended a portion of the workshop virtually. Workshop sessions on Day 1 covered: personal experience with DLB diagnosis, clinical features of DLB, a data blitz from five early-stage investigators, and neuropathological features of DLB. Day 2 sessions included: associated biomarkers, clinical trials in DLB, drug development, data and sample existing resources and future needs, and a discussion of gaps and opportunities. The recording of the workshop will be posted to the workshop webpage in the coming weeks, and a meeting summary will be posted in the new year. For more information, contact Nina Silverberg ( nina.silverberg@nih.gov ), Debra Babcock (NINDS, debra.babcock@nih.gov ), Grayson Donley ( grayson.donley@nih.gov ), or Soledad Ivaldi ( maria.ivaldi@nih.gov ).

Baltimore Fellows Symposium (BFS) — Nov. 13, 2024 — Baltimore, MD

Annually, the BFS is a joint celebration between NIA and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) to recognize the winners of the NIH Fellows Award for Research Excellence (FARE). The day featured talks from 14 NIA and NIDA FARE Award winners, career development skill blitzes by staff within the Office of Intramural Training and Education, and an alumni panel featuring former NIA and NIDA postdoc fellows who are now in other roles. This year, the keynote speaker was Dana Farber Researcher William G. Kaelin, Jr., M.D., the 2019 Nobel Prize recipient in medicine or physiology. For more information, please contact Taya Dunn Johnson ( dunnt@grc.nia.nih.gov or 667-205-2215).

Minority Health and Health Disparities in Neuroscience Webinar Series — Nov. 21, 2024 — VIRTUAL

DN is hosting the webinar series, Minority Health and Health Disparities Research in Neuroscience, to provide an opportunity for grantees to share research advances and lessons learned regarding challenges and opportunities in the field. On Nov. 21, DN hosted the webinar, “Aging, Cognitive Impairment, and Oral Health Disparities: Interdisciplinary Approaches,” by Dr. Bei Wu (dean’s professor in global health, New York University). This webinar highlighted Wu’s pioneering interdisciplinary research on oral health disparities among older adults, and the relationship among oral health, cognitive decline, and systemic health. Wu provided an overview of oral health problems and conditions in older adults and oral health disparities in the United States, followed by an overview of her research findings on the association among oral health and diabetes, cognitive impairment, and dementia across diverse racial and ethnic groups. Use of oral health care as a potential strategy to prevent and/or reduce cognitive decline was also discussed. Finally, she provided evidence-based policy recommendations aimed at reducing oral health disparities and promoting interdisciplinary collaboration in aging and public health research. More information on DN’s past and upcoming Minority Health and Health Disparities webinars can be found on our webpage. For more information, contact Dallas Anderson ( andersda@nia.nih.gov ), Damali Martin ( martinda@mail.nih.gov ), Maryam Ghaleh ( maryam.ghaleh@nih.gov ), Richard Kwok ( richard.kwok@nih.gov ), Camille Pottinger ( pottingerca@mail.nih.gov ), Nell Foret ( nell.foret@nih.gov ), and Tayona Pearson ( tayona.pearson@nih.gov ).

Future Meetings

RNA Regulation in Aging Biology — Feb. 11, 2025 — VIRTUAL

The workshop will feature several invited experts. The objective is to discuss post-transcriptional processes driving gene expression programs in aging biology, with a focus on RNA-centered mechanisms. The discussion will aim to address a range of processes, including splicing, mRNA turnover, translation, microRNAs/lncRNAs, RNA-binding proteins, and RNA modifications. For more information, contact Angela Jackson ( angela.jackson3@nih.gov or 667-312-3588).

Frontiers in Imaging Technology for Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and AD-Related Dementia — Feb. 24-25, 2025 — VIRTUAL

This workshop will bring together clinician-scientists and neuroscientists and brain imaging tool developers to discuss gaps and opportunities for imaging Alzheimer’s and related dementias. The key knowledge gaps that this workshop aims to address are: 1) how newly developed imaging technology can better contribute to the study, diagnosis, and treatment of Alzheimer’s and related dementias in living humans, and 2) what further technology development opportunities may be driven by the needs of clinicians/clinician-scientists operating in the field of Alzheimer’s and related dementias. Answering these questions will not only help further the use of advanced imaging in clinical and research studies of Alzheimer’s and related dementias, but also stimulate development of new technologies. For more information, contact Alessandra Rovescalli (NIA, alessandra.rovescalli@nih.gov ), Shumin Wang (National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, shumin.wang@nih.gov ), Deb Babcock (NINDS, dbabcock@ninds.nih.gov ), Molly Wagster (NIA, wagsterm@nia.nih ), Maria Soledad Ivaldi (NIA, maria.ivaldi@nih.govgov ).

Tenure-Track Investigator (TTI) Symposium — March 3, 2025 — Baltimore, MD

Hosted by NIA and NIDA, this biennial symposium will provide TTIs the opportunity to showcase their research and engage with the scientific community. For more information, contact Sarah Lewis ( sarah.lewis@nih.gov or 667-205-2604).

Novel Opportunities for PET Imaging Tracers in AD/ADRD and Emerging Tracers March 12-13, 2025 — Bethesda, MD/Hybrid

This workshop will bring together the complementary expertise of NIA-funded neurologists, pathologists, radiologists, chemists, and biologists to discuss the current state, and unmet needs, of the field in the context of the most recent developments, such as plasma biomarkers, new diagnostic framework, treatments, diagnostic entities, and an enhanced appreciation of co-pathologies and the impact of diversity. Topics for discussion will include the contribution of PET to multimodal research approaches for the development of models of disease progression, as well as the elaboration of mechanistic hypotheses of pathology spread that integrate connectivity, vulnerability, and resistance at regional, circuitry, and cellular level. The discussion will be expanded to include emerging PET tracers that show promise for use in Alzheimer’s and related dementias clinical research, including those targeting pathological protein aggregates as well as those targeting cellular pathways relevant in the neurodegenerative cascade, such as neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial function, protein homeostasis, and epigenetic regulation. The objectives of the workshop are 1) to stimulate a discussion on the role of PET imaging in clinical practice, human research studies, and translational applications in the context of the current state of the art, capabilities of the field, and recent developments (plasma biomarkers, new diagnostic framework, new treatments, new diagnostic entities, enhanced appreciation of co-pathologies, and impact of diversity); and 2) to identify gaps and opportunities in the context of urgent needs and upcoming/desirable developments, and interdisciplinary research. For more information, contact Alessandra Rovescalli ( alessandra.rovescalli@nih.gov ).

Aging Mechanisms Impacting Women’s Health — March 20-21, 2025 — Bethesda, MD/HYBRID

This workshop will invite experts from academic institutions, NIH, other federal agencies, and the private sector to examine sex differences in cellular and molecular mechanisms that drive functional declines during female aging and influence on overall women’s health. The workshop will focus on some key organs and systems that exhibit sexual dimorphism in aging and age-related diseases, including the reproductive, musculoskeletal, and brain systems. We will consider the influence of sex hormones, chromosomes, and metabolism and immunity in mediating these biological differences; key model systems (in vivo and in vitro) needed to interrogate this biology; and development of potential strategies and interventions to mitigate its effects. Other relevant organ systems will be highlighted in the keynote and included in workshop discussions. For more information, contact Fei Wang (301-443-8187 or fei.wang@nih.gov ), John Williams (301-496-6403 or williamsj6@mail.nih.gov ), Maja Maric (301-496-9350 or maja.maric@nih.gov ), and Chelsea Haakenson (301-496-9350 or chelsea.haakenson@nih.gov ).

29th Annual NIA IRP Scientific Retreat — April 3-4, 2025 — Baltimore, MD

The Retreat will feature a keynote address from Joseph Loscalzo, M.D., Ph.D., professor of medicine, Harvard Medical School, as well as other talks from IRP trainees and researchers. A second keynote speaker, Dr. Steven Holland, director of intramural research at NIAID, has been added to the event. For more information, contact Towanda Cobia ( towanda.cobia@nih.gov or 410-801-4979).

MoTrPAC: Multiomic Temporal Response to Endurance Exercise at the Annual Meeting of the American Physiology Summit — April 25, 2025 — Baltimore, MD

The Molecular Transducers of Physical Activity Consortium (MoTrPAC) is an NIH Common Fund initiative with the primary goal of developing a molecular map of the response to exercise. MoTrPAC incorporates both human and animal studies, collecting physiological measures and tissues for analysis on multiple “omics” platforms. The symposium will focus on data generated from preclinical animal studies, which performed acute and chronic treadmill exercise on F344 female and male rats at 6 and 18 months of age. The MoTrPAC preclinical animal studies represent the most comprehensive exercise studies done to date, examining the temporal response to both acute (seven time points) and chronic (four time points) endurance exercise in 19 tissues. Tissues were analyzed using transcriptomic, genomic, proteomic, lipidomic, and metabolomic platforms. The bioinformatic analyses of the data have revealed tissue-specific responses to acute and chronic training, as well as sex- and age-specific differences. The data (Motrpac-data.org) and tissues (motrpac.org/biorepository) generated by these studies represent a major resource for the scientific community. The symposium will highlight bioinformatic approaches for the analysis of multiomic data. Presentations will include data from multiple “omics” platforms on multiple tissues. The tissues analyzed in the preclinical studies include skeletal muscle, white adipose tissue, brown adipose tissue, heart, lung, liver, kidney, adrenal, spleen, small intestine, colon, brain regions, gonads, and blood. This 90-minute symposium will start with a brief overview of the study design, followed by three talks that present new data on (1) the chronic temporal adaptations to endurance exercise, (2) the acute temporal responses to endurance exercise, and (3) the impact of age on the temporal and adaptive response to chronic exercise training. Sex as a biological variable of selected tissues in exercise training will be addressed. For more information, contact John Williams (DAB, 301-496-6403 or williamsj6@mail.nih.gov ), Amanda Boyce (DAB, 301-496-6402 or boycea@mail.nih.gov ), and Lyndon Joseph (DGCG, 301-496-6926 or lyndon.joseph@nih.gov ).

A Session on “Aging on a Chip” at the American Aging Association (AGE) Annual Meeting — May 14, 2025 — Anchorage, AK

The purpose of this session at AGE is 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 will inform the audience about the use of these models and their applications in aging research. Proposed topics include in vitro modeling to investigate aging immune cells, recapitulating heterochronic parabiosis in 3D micro physiological systems, and modeling aging-on-a-chip. For more information, contact Dr. Tiziana Cogliati (301-496-6402 or tiziana.cogliati@nih.gov ).

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Web Content

Media & Outreach

Media Activity

• Total number of press requests: 92
• Press interviews conducted with NIA experts: 30

Meetings

Meetings With External Audiences

• Meeting with Population Association of America (PAA); Dec. 16, 2024 — Hodes, Amy Kelley, and NIA staff met with PAA leadership to discuss population aging research activities and opportunities.
• NIH Advisory Committee to the Director (ACD) Meeting; Dec. 13, 2024 — Hodes shared updates on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias research with ACD members.
• NIA Director’s Regional Meeting; Dec. 10, 2024 — Hodes and NIA leaders convened with researchers and trainees from academic institutions and organizations in Arizona and New Mexico for the 2024 NIA Director’s Regional Meeting. The meeting afforded attendees the opportunity to learn more about NIA, its research priorities, the grant application process, and other training and research resources.
• National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities Symposium: Ending Unequal Treatment: Strategies to Achieve Equitable Health Care and Optimal Health for All; Dec. 5, 2024 — Hodes shared a presentation on NIA initiatives which seek to advance health equity, including those related to scientific workforce diversity, clinical trials recruitment and retention, and community-engaged research. Hodes also participated in a panel discussion with other NIH Institute directors.
• Historically Black Colleges and Universities Aging Conference; Nov. 13, 2024 — Amy Kelley shared a presentation on NIA initiatives to support diversity and inclusion in aging research.
• Gerontological Society of America (GSA) Annual Scientific Meeting; Nov. 13-16, 2024 — Hodes and Amy Kelley, along with other NIA leaders and staff, took part in multiple GSA sessions. Hodes served as keynote speaker in the President’s Opening Plenary Session, highlighting progress in NIA-funded research in recognition of NIA’s 50th anniversary. Hodes and Amy Kelley also took part in respective symposia for early-career researchers and those at mid-career and beyond.
• Dementia With Lewy Bodies (DLB) Workshop: Filling the Gaps in Translational and Clinical Research; Nov. 12, 2024 — Amy Kelley shared welcoming remarks with workshop attendees, inviting their collaboration in addressing gaps in DLB research.
• European Union Joint Programme — Neurodegenerative Disease Research Management Board Meeting; Nov. 7, 2024 — Hodes presented an update on NIA activities related to neurodegenerative disease research, including NIA-supported clinical trials, care and caregiving research, risk reduction research, and ongoing NIA strategic planning efforts.
• National Academy of Neuropsychology Annual Conference; Nov. 6, 2024 — Dr. Lisbeth Nielsen delivered the keynote address, highlighting NIA-funded advancements in cognitive aging and Alzheimer’s research.
• NIH Workshop on the White House Initiative for Women’s Health Research; Oct. 29, 2024 — Hodes presented an overview of NIA-funded research on women’s midlife health and the menopausal transition.
• NIA Workshop, Mechanistic Insights Into Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias; Oct. 29, 2024 — Amy Kelley provided opening remarks, reflecting on NIA’s commitment to elucidate the molecular and cellular mechanisms which underlie Alzheimer’s pathogenesis.
• National Academy of Medicine Healthy Longevity Global Innovator Summit; Sept. 30, 2024 — As part of a panel discussion with leaders in the field of healthy longevity, Hodes discussed NIA’s mission to understand the nature of aging and to extend the healthy, active years of life, as well as NIA-funded research advancements in these areas.
• Health Retirement Study–Around the World (HRS–ATW) and Harmonized Cognitive Assessment Protocol (HCAP) International Network Meeting; Sept. 30, 2024 — Amy Kelley shared introductory remarks at the annual joint meeting of HRS–ATW and HCAP International Network researchers, underscoring NIA’s support for rigorous cross-national comparisons of health and longevity.
• NIH Diversity Supplement Workshop; Sept. 25, 2024 — Amy Kelley offered a welcome and introduction to the NIA mission and activities in her opening remarks.
• 2024 Alzheimer’s Disease Research Summit: Building a Precision Medicine Research Enterprise; Sept. 23, 2024 — Hodes shared introductory remarks for this meeting of leading academic and industry researchers, innovators, and public advocates to review a decade of progress toward precision medicine and to chart a vision for the next decade.
• NIA–U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Fireside Chat; Sept. 16, 2024 — Hodes joined Dr. Atul Gawande, assistant administrator for global health at USAID, for a discussion of international perspectives on health, aging, and longevity.
• Friends of NIA Budget Meeting, Part II; Aug. 29, 2024 — Dr. Melinda Kelley, along with other NIA leaders and staff, presented NIA’s scientific enterprise strategy to the Friends of NIA as part of a continuing discussion of NIA budget and fiscal planning processes.
• Meeting With Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ); Aug. 29, 2024 — Amy Kelley provided an overview of NIH- and NIA-funded palliative care research.

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