This GSA Annual Scientific Meeting iSession provides participants with a forum for conversation on findings, limitations, and future work opportunities around a topic. Mobility, physical activity and social engagement are important to healthy aging and independent living among older adults. Panelists will discuss new developments that have important implications to community programs that support older adults aging in place. 

Presented by:

• Wenjun Li, PhD, Professor of Public Health, University of Massachusetts Lowell (Chair)
• Lien Quach, PhD, MD, MSc, Gerontologist/Research Scientist, Department of Gerontology, University of Massachusetts Boston
• Ladda Thiamwong, PhD, RN, Associate Professor, University of Central Florida College of Nursing
• Hao (Howe) Liu, PT, PhD, MS, FGSA, Professor of Physical Therapy, University of North Texas Health Science Center (Co-Moderator)
• Katelyn Webster-Dekker, PhD, RN, Postdoctoral Fellow, Indiana University School of Nursing (Co-Moderator)

If you are looking for pilot funding for your next research project, you might consider one of the National Institute on Aging’s (NIA) more than 120 Centers and Networks. This alphabet soup of organizations are known by their acronyms, eponyms, and initialisms: RCCN, ADRC, D&E, OAIC, NSC, RCMAR, Roybal, AITC, and IMPACT. To begin to peel back the curtain on these many organizations, representatives from NIA and a Network designed to coordinate the various Centers will meet to give a high-level overview of NIA Centers and how to stay informed about the opportunities they offer for researchers in the field of aging. 

Developed by the GSA Grant Writing Program Workgroup.

Presented by:

• Odette van der Willik, Deputy Executive Director and Director of Grant Programs, American Federation for Aging Research
• Dana Jeffrey Plude, PhD, Deputy Director, Division of Behavioral and Social Research, National Institute on Aging
• Patricia W. Slattum, PharmD, PhD, FGSA, Co-Director, Virginia Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program, Virginia Center on Aging and GSA Visiting Scholar (Workgroup Co-Chair)
• Gail L. Towsley, PhD, NHA, FGSA, Associate Professor, University of Utah College of Nursing (Co-Moderator)
• Zachary G. Baker, PhD, Assistant Professor, Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation, Arizona State University (Co-Moderator)

Join GSA's Climate Change and Aging Interest Group for a panel discussion and Q&A to explore action and advocacy on the topic of climate change and aging.

This GSA Annual Scientific Meeting iSession reports and reviews new developments on the association between social isolation, loneliness and cognitive health amidst positive COVID-19 milestones; opportunities in aging health service and research.

Presented by:

• Ted K.S. Ng, PhD, BSc, Assistant Professor, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, ASU (Chair)
• Fereshteh Mehrabi, PhD, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Regina
• Xiang Qi, PhD, Research Scientist, New York University
• Christina Victor, PhD, M Phil, BA, Professor of Gerontology and Public Health and Vice Dean (Research), College of Health and Life Science, Brunel University London
• Paras Goel, PT, DPT, MEd, MBA (c), GCS, 21st Century Home Health (Co-Moderator)
• Amanda Sonnega, PhD, Associate Research Scientist, Health and Retirement Study, Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan (Co-Moderator)

This GSA Annual Scientific Meeting iSession examines new developments in the many factors influencing cognition and health among ethnically and racially diverse groups.

Presented by:

• Toni Antonucci, PhD, Research Professor, ISR and Psychology, University of Michigan (Co-Chair)
• Laura Zahodne, PhD, Assistant Professor, Psychology, University of Michigan (Co-Chair)
• Sandra Arevalo, PhD, Assistant Professor, Human Development, California State University, Long Beach
• Erica Diminich, PhD, Research Assistant Professor, Family Medicine, Stony Brook University
• Tiffany Kindratt, PhD, MPH, Assistant Professor, Department of Kinesiology, University of Texas at Arlington
• Elizabeth Munoz, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin
• Amanda Leggett, MS, PhD, Assistant Professor, Institute of Gerontology and Department of Psychology, Wayne State University (Co-Moderator)
• Pilar Thangwaritorn, MA, Doctoral Student, Clinical Health Psychology, University of Kansas (Co-Moderator)

Are you preparing the budget for your first NIA grant or are you an experienced investigator looking to hone your budgeting skills? Join us for this GSA Grant Chat to explore tips for success and pitfalls to avoid in creating a compelling budget.  This session is an opportunity to learn from each other, expand your network and share resources.

Grant funding is an indispensable step to conduct the work needed to advance the science of gerontology and promote optimal experiences of aging. Obtaining funding can protect precious time to pursue the topics that are of greatest interest to you, advance your career, facilitate training, and improve your prospects for future grant funding.  GSA Grant Chats feature panel discussions with peers, experienced researchers, and leaders in gerontology and offer the opportunity to connect with and learn from experts in aging science.

Developed by the GSA Grant Writing Program Workgroup.

Presented by:

• Hollie Fuhrmann, MA, Research Associate, Pre-Award Support, Emma Eccles Jones Nursing Research Center, University of Utah College of Nursing
• Joseph E. Gaugler, PhD, FGSA, FAPA, Professor, Division of Health Policy and Management, University of Minnesota School of Public Health
• Glen C. McGugan Jr., PhD, Program Officer, Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
• Patricia W. Slattum, PharmD, PhD, FGSA, Co-Director, Virginia Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program, Virginia Center on Aging and GSA Visiting Scholar (Workgroup Co-Chair)
• Duo (Helen) Wei, PhD, Associate Professor of Computer Science, Stockton University (Co-Moderator)
• Gail L. Towsley, PhD, NHA, FGSA, Associate Professor, University of Utah College of Nursing (Co-Moderator)
• Zachary G. Baker, PhD, Assistant Professor, Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation, Arizona State University (Co-Moderator)

Join GSA’s Climate and Aging Interest Group for its first webinar, “Emerging Research in Climate Change and Aging.” The session will feature Ruth McDermott-Levy who will discuss environmental health issues for older people, and Karl Pillemer discussing engaging older people in climate action.

Organized by GSA's Climate and Aging Interest Group.

Presented by:

• Ruth McDermott-Levy, PhD, MPH, RN, FAAN, Professor, Villanova University
• Karl Pillemer, PhD, Professor, Cornell University
• Angie Perone, PhD, Assistant Professor, University of California, Berkeley (Moderator)

During the webinar, Dr. Jamie Lahvic, Program Officer from the National Institute on Aging, will describe the Career Development (K) awards available from the NIA. She will particularly focus on two new awards: the REDI K01 which funds career exploration outside of the academy, and the K22 which funds transition to a tenure-track faculty position. Drs. Lahvic and moderator, Dr. Christy Carter, will provide guidance for connecting with program officers ahead of submission for writing a successful application.

Sponsored by GSA's Biological Sciences Section.

Presented by:

• Christy Carter, PhD, Health Scientist Administrator for Training and Workforce Development, Division of Aging Biology, National Institute on Aging 
• Jamie Lahvic, PhD, Health Scientist Administrator for Training and Workforce Development, Office of Strategic Extramural Programs, National Institute on Aging 
• Rozalyn Anderson, PhD, FGSA, Professor, Professor, Department of Medicine, SMPH, University of Wisconsin-Madison and William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital (Moderator)

Interested in the business world and a career in the aging field? Hear from several gerontologists who have combined these two areas into successful careers. Panelists will share about their work in a conversation with nationally-recognized author, columnist and speaker, Helen Dennis. 

Organized by AGHE’s Advancement Workgroup.

Presented by:

• Sheila Callaham, MA, Executive Director, Age Equity Alliance
• Lydia Manning, PhD, CEO/Co-Founder, Circle of Life Consulting
• Barbara Micheletti, MS, CEO, Interrupting Aging
• Helen Dennis, a national successful aging columnist and author (Moderator)

What career options are out there for individuals interested in aging research? How can I use my training to land a position outside of the traditional university setting? Join the GSA Health Sciences Mentorship Workgroup as we host a panel discussion with GSA members in government, non-profit, and private industry positions. Speakers will share about their career trajectories, differences between university and non-university careers, and specific skills, training, or networking experiences that may be useful to land a non-academic job. The discussion will be moderated by Dr. Kyle Moored (Assistant Scientist, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health) and Dr. Tai-Te Su (Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Toronto). We hope this webinar will be especially useful for early career researchers and individuals considering careers outside of a traditional academic setting.

Organized by the Health Sciences Section Mentorship Workgroup.

Presented by:

• Ali Ahmed, MD, MPH, FGSA, Director, Center for Health and Aging, Washington DC VA Medical Center and Clinical Director, Biomedical Informatics Center and Professor of Medicine, George Washington University
• Bin Huang, PhD, Principal Scientist, BrainCheck
• On-Yee “Amy” Lo, PhD, Assistant Scientist II, Hebrew SeniorLife