Develop or enhance your expertise in aging research.
The UConn Center on Aging was recently awarded a National Institute on Aging Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center grant (P30 AG067988; Kuchel, Fortinsky - MPIs), better known as a Pepper Center (https://today.uconn.edu/2021/08/uconn-center-on-aging-awarded-7-million-nih-grant-to-support-older-adults-initiative/). These centers of excellence are dedicated to advancing research and fostering careers of early stage researchers seeking to improve function and independence of older adults. The focus of the UConn Pepper Center is Precision Gerontology, a scientific approach to understanding heterogeneity in geriatric disorders in order to create more personalized and effective approaches to improving health and function in older adults.
A key component of the Pepper Center is the Research Education Component (REC), which provides financial support, education and training to Pepper Scholars who Pepper Center leadership have identified as showing particular promise as independent investigators. The REC, led by Dr. David Steffens, includes several senior research leaders at UConn who will serve as mentors to Pepper Scholars.
We are issuing this solicitation to junior faculty and post-doctoral fellows with an interest in aging-related research. Individuals with experience in this area are encouraged to apply, as are those with research backgrounds in non-aging related fields whose research might be enhanced with a new aging focus. Physician scientists and clinicians in other disciplines are especially encouraged to apply. Funding for Pepper Scholars will begin January 2022.
Please note that the UConn Center on Aging will be sponsoring a Webinar on Oct. 22, 2021 from noon for 1 p.m. that will provide background about the Pepper Center submission, including information on the Pepper Scholars Program. Information about the Webinar is posted below.
Interested individuals should contact Dr. David Steffens (steffens@uchc.edu) for an application. The deadline for submission of applications is Thursday Nov. 18 at 5 p.m. Applicants may not have current R01 funding and must be U.S. citizens or green card holders. External reviews and the UConn Pepper Center Steering committee will review application materials and will select three individuals to become Pepper Scholars.
Criteria for Pepper Scholar Selection were developed to be consistent with the overall goals of the Pepper Program and include:
Trainee potential and commitment to academic career
Demonstrated commitment to aging research
Alignment of proposed training and work with Precision Gerontology focus
Availability and commitment of suitable mentorship
Ability to benefit from OAIC resources (to be discussed during the Webinar)
Applicants should direct questions and submit materials to:
David Steffens, M.D., steffens@uchc.edu
Zoom Webinar information:
When: Oct. 22 from noon to 1 p.m.
Zoom link and information:
https://uconnedu.zoom.us/j/94111451198pwd=TG5YaXJEcGFKZUd0WUdFbFhJbnlzUT09
Meeting ID: 941 1145 1198
Passcode: 986869
For more information, contact: David Steffens, MD at steffens@uchc.edu