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Explore the Division of Aging Biology:
The DAB Office of the Division Director sets priorities and strategic directions for research supported by the Division, including collaborations with other NIA Divisions and NIH Institutes, Centers, and Offices. In addition, the Office of the DAB Division Director manages and coordinates the portfolios for health disparities research, the training, mentored research and workforce diversity programs, and the Nathan Shock Centers of Excellence in the Biology of Aging. The Office of the Division Director also provides support for the Division’s Small Business Grants . Major themes for the Office of the Division Director are expanding basic biological research with human participants and further increasing workforce diversity.
Programs and Activities
The DAB Office of the Division Director has a broad array of programs and activities that support research on many topics related to the biology of aging. Explore details about specific programs and activities below:
Diseases and Aging Program
This program aims to enhance our understanding of the bidirectional relationship between aging and the onset and progression of diseases such as cancer, HIV, and other infectious diseases. Advances in our understanding of the aging process have enabled us to develop promising interventions that target biological mechanisms associated with the development of chronic diseases. Likewise, this program is interested in exploring how major diseases impact the aging process and overall health. Topics may include:
- Mechanisms and relationships between aging processes and disease risk at older ages
- Mechanisms and causal relationships between therapies to treat diseases and the acceleration of aging
- Aging-relevant laboratory models of diseases
- Non-genetic changes as potential drivers of age-related diseases
- Impact of disease therapy on aging
- Impact of acute and chronic infectious diseases on aging
Contact: Stacy Carrington-Lawrence, Ph.D. .
HIV and Aging Program
The HIV and Aging Program spans NIA’s extramural divisions and supports a diverse portfolio of research promoting healthy aging among older adults living with HIV. Priority areas in HIV and aging include:
- Understanding the impact of HIV infection and pathogenesis in the context of aging-related genetic, molecular, and cellular changes and physiological outcomes.
- Understanding molecular mechanisms that may be common to multiple comorbid states with HIV.
- Understanding the contributions of individual, interpersonal, social, structural, and institutional factors to the physical, psychological, and economic well-being of persons aging with HIV.
- Understanding relationships between HIV infection and cognitive decline, especially in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Alzheimer’s disease-related dementias (ADRD) and other neurological impairments in people with HIV and advancing age.
- Enhancing assessment and treatment of older individuals with HIV and comorbidities, polypharmacy, disability, or disparities in health outcomes.
Contact: Candice Beaubien, MPH
Nathan Shock Centers (NSC) of Excellence in the Biology of Aging
The NSC provide intellectual leadership and innovation, training, and pertinent cores focused on the needs of the biology of aging field and opportunities for research career development.
Contact: Christy Carter, Ph.D.
Training and Workforce Development Program
This program fosters training and educational opportunities for individuals and organizations focused on biology of aging research. Supported activities include:
- Workforce development, education, and training programs to support early career researchers in the biology of aging.
- Institutional (T-) training programs in the biology of aging.
Contact: Christy Carter, Ph.D.
Trans-NIH Geroscience Interest Group
The Geroscience Interest Group (GSIG) at NIH highlights and advances research at the intersection between aging biology and the biology of conditions that are of interest to multiple NIH institutes and centers. The GSIG regularly hosts events focused on basic research and clinical topics related to geroscience.
Contacts: Siobhan Addie, Ph.D.
Contact Information
Director: Viviana Perez Montes , Ph.D.
Deputy Director: Stacy Carrington-Lawrence , Ph.D.
Staff:
Siobhan Addie, Ph.D.
Candice Beaubien, M.P.H.
Christy Carter, Ph.D.
Pragati Katiyar, Ph.D.
Katherine Kim, M.Sc.
Looking for program officials? Use the Matchmaker tool in the NIH RePORTER to easily find staff associated with specific projects or types of research. Enter abstracts, research bios, or other scientific text, and explore a list of similar projects and program officials from the RePORTER.