Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center at the University of Michigan (UM Pepper Center)

University Of Michigan At Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor MI

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

In this competitive renewal application, the University of Michigan Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center (UM Pepper Center) seeks to provide scientific leadership and innovation for aging research to address the central hypothesis that targeting metabolic and inflammatory factors as critical mediators of geriatric conditions and outcomes improves physical and cognitive functions of older adults. The overarching goal of the UM Pepper Center is to create, enhance and maintain a cohesive intellectual, technological, and administrative environment to maximize geriatrics research that will promote health and functional independence in older adults. The UM Pepper Center will pursue its objectives in four Aims. Aim 1) To support the UM Pepper Center’s Research Framework inbroad aging populations through basic, clinical, and translational research on how enhanced understanding of the interactions of metabolic factors, infections, and inflammation with age-related diseases and comorbidities can lead to interventions that improve physical and cognitive functioning as well as key health outcomes such as better mobility, independence, and optimal quality of life. Aim 2) To support the UM Pepper Center’s research focus by collaborating closely with other NIA funded Centers and major program grants at UM. Aim 3) To provide Resource Cores that assist investigator-initiated projects related to the UM Pepper Center’s research focus, with a special emphasis on underserved communities across the State of Michigan through expanded activities of the Recruitment, Retention, and Community Engagement Core (RRCEC). Aim 4) Through its Research Education Core (REC) and the Pilot and Exploratory Studies Core (PESC), to strengthen the UM environment to attract and train future academic leaders in geriatrics and aging who can advance aging research related to the UM Pepper Center’s areas of focus. The UM Pepper Center has in place a well-established leadership and administrative structure, a REC, a PESC, and four RCs: the RRCEC; the Biomechanics Core (BC); the Design, Data and Biostatistics Core (DDBC); and the Core Facility for Aged Rodents (CFAR). The REC features three central elements: 1) a competitive program to select 2 promising junior faculty per year to conduct research relevant to the UM Pepper Center’s focus and guarantee 50% effort for research career development; 2) a nationally recognized research training program for junior faculty engaged in such research, and 3) a Mentorship Program that enhances opportunities for junior faculty members to work closely with one or more UM senior investigators. The PESC will fund 4 or more pilot projects per year by leveraging UM Pepper Center funding with multiple other UM institutional resources. The RC’s will support multiple externally funded projects, the UM Pepper Center pilot grants and REC junior faculty, and continue to develop and test new methods to be used in UM Pepper Center research.