Nov. 9 Media Briefing at GSA 2023 in Tampa: New Directions for the Resource Centers for Minority Aging Research
Media Briefing: New Directions for the Resource Centers for Minority Aging Research
Date: Thursday, November 9, 2023
Time: 12 to 1:15 p.m. ET
Location: Tampa Convention Center Room 402
Registration: GSA 2023 Annual Scientific Meeting media registration is required to attend this event.
The Resource Centers for Minority Aging Research (RCMAR) represent a long-standing program established by the National Institute on Aging (NIA) to support behavioral and social research in the areas of aging, health disparities in older adults, and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and AD-related dementias (ADRD) through the development of research infrastructure and the mentorship of early career scientists from diverse backgrounds, including, but not limited to, individuals from racial and ethnic groups underrepresented in biomedical and behavioral research, individuals with disabilities, and women. RCMAR Centers have a long track record of supporting the study of aging in diverse communities, which is a core component of the RCMAR mission.
The Gerontological Society of America was recently awarded a $3.89 million cooperative agreement over five years from the NIA to serve as the RCMAR National Coordinating Center. Furthermore, NIA awarded grants to support 18 RCMAR Centers around the country. Ten Centers address Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and AD related dementias (ADRD), given rising cases of the diseases due to world-wide increases in the older adult population, the disproportionate burden in communities of color, and the need for a strong, diverse workforce to tackle this pressing challenge. Eight traditional Centers focus more broadly in the areas of aging, health disparities in older adults, and the mentorship of early career scientists of diverse backgrounds.
Panelists will highlight the ongoing issues surrounding behavioral and social research in the areas of aging, health disparities in older adults, and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and AD-related dementias (ADRD) and the need for new research on these issues.
Through the mentorship of early career faculty, panelists will share how we work to strengthen the diverse aging research workforce in behavioral and social research in the areas of aging, health disparities in older adults, and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) ad AD-related dementias (ADRD), and the importance of mentoring to build a pipeline of new researchers from diverse backgrounds.
Finally, panelists will share RCMAR programs in action and present a view of important learnings that have emerged via the RCMAR funded scientists (notable items in the last 10 years).
Presenters:
Patricia M. D’Antonio, BSPharm, MS, MBA, BCGP (Moderator)
RCMAR National Coordinating Center Contact Principal Investigator (PI)
Tamara Baker, PhD, FGSA
Professor, Department of Psychiatry
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
RCMAR NCC Multi-PI Team
Carmen Castañeda Sceppa, MD, PhD, FGSA
Dean of the Bouvé College of Health Sciences
Professor of Health Sciences
Northeastern University
RCMAR NCC Multi-PI Team
Kristine J. Ajrouch, PhD
Director, Michigan Center for Contextual Factors in Alzheimer's Disease (MCCFAD)
Adjunct Research Professor
Life Course Development Program
Institute for Social Research
University of Michigan
This briefing is being organized and conducted by the National Coordinating Center of the Resource Centers for Minority Aging Research; lunch is provided by the Gerontological Society of America.
###
The Gerontological Society of America (GSA) is the nation's oldest and largest interdisciplinary organization devoted to research, education, and practice in the field of aging. The principal mission of the Society — and its 5,500+ members — is to advance the study of aging and disseminate information among scientists, decision makers, and the general public. GSA’s structure includes a nonpartisan public policy institute, the National Academy on an Aging Society, and GSA is also home to the National Center to Reframe Aging and the National Coordinating Center for the Resource Centers for Minority Aging Research.