Yale Program on Aging

The Yale Program on Aging (POA), directed by Drs. Mary Tinetti and Sharon Inouye, has emerged as a leading site nationally for training in clinical research on aging. To meet the health care needs of the increasing number of older persons, well-trained investigators with interest in age-related issues are greatly needed.

The Yale Program on Aging (POA) includes several outstanding training programs (described further below):

• Research Career Development Core of the Yale Claude D. Pepper Center;
• Hartford Foundation/NIA Subspecialty Fellowship in Aging Research;
• T32 Training Grant in Geriatric Clinical Epidemiology; and
• Yale Mentorship Program in Patient-Oriented Research on Aging.

The POA has been highly successful and productive in training patient-oriented researchers for careers in academic medicine.

Contact information—Phone (203) 764-9800

http://info.med.yale.edu/intmed/aging

Research Career Development Core of the Yale Claude D. Pepper Center

The Research Career Development Core of the NIA-funded Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center (Pepper OAIC) has had a nearly 10-year history of successful training of academic leaders in geriatrics and gerontology. Currently directed by Dr. Sharon Inouye, career development resources include:

• Research career development awards and pilot project grants for new investigators for career (salary) support and pilot project support (through the Pilot and Exploratory Studies Core). Over the past 9 years, 47 pilot grants have been awarded, and over 95% of these grants have led to subsequent extramural funding and/or to peer-reviewed publications.
• The OAIC has sponsored the Aging Seminars and Workshops for junior faculty and fellows. Held twice monthly, these workshops have provided an informal, interdisciplinary forum in which junior faculty have presented their work-in-progress.
• Annual Junior Faculty Retreat to bring together new investigators in clinical aging research to present and receive feedback on their work in an informal atmosphere.
• The OAIC has provided research mentorship, and field and data staff to assist with the development and implementation of research projects.
• Finally, the OAIC has provided travel funds for new investigators in aging research to attend and present at national meetings.

For information, contact Ms. Denise Acampora at (203) 688-3344.

The Hartford Foundation/NIA Subspecialty Fellowship in Aging Research

The Hartford Foundation/NIA Subspecialty Fellowship in Aging Research was initiated in 1998, with the aim of providing support to highly qualified physician investigators conducting patient-oriented research in aging, primarily in the medical subspecialties. To date, nine subspecialty fellows, from endocrinology, hematology, infectious disease, neurology, pulmonary, and rheumatology, have or are receiving research support through the program. The resources of the Hartford COE are devoted to identifying, among the world-class subspecialty research trainees at Yale, those whose subspecialty and clinical research training are particularly relevant to aging and to encourage their pursuit of “geriatric-focused” subspecialty academic careers. Through this innovative approach, this program will help create a new generation of interdisciplinary researchers, equipped to address the pressing health needs of the aging population.

For information, contact Dr. Mary Tinetti at (203) 688-5238.

T32 Training Grant in Geriatric Clinical Epidemiology

The T32 Fellowship Training Grant in Geriatric Clinical Epidemiology was funded in 2000, and helps to complement the clinical fellowship offered at Yale since 1987. Over the past 13 years, 11 fellows have completed fellowship training, and the vast majority have remained in academic geriatric medicine. The T32 training grant provides protected research time for 1-2 years beyond the clinical year, and resources to enable fellows to emerge with expertise in patient-oriented research on aging. Applications and further information available on the website.

Contact Information-- Dr. Thomas Gill at (203) 688-3344.

http://info.med.yale.edu/intmed/geriatrics/fellowship/fellowhome.htm

The Yale Mentorship Program in Patient-Oriented Research on Aging

The Yale Mentorship Program in Patient-Oriented Research on Aging, directed by Dr. Sharon Inouye since 1988 and recently expanded with a K24 award, has provided intensive research mentorship in patient-oriented research and resources for medical students, residents, fellows, and junior faculty The program focuses on providing individual mentorship, including didactic training and hands on experience, to enable mentees to successfully complete an independent research project in aging. To date, 32 mentees have been enrolled in the program and all have completed research projects, which have led to theses, research abstracts, peer-reviewed publications, and/or grant applications. Of the 32 mentees, 31 (97%) are pursuing or have entered careers in full time academic medicine.

For information, contact Dr. Sharon Inouye at (203) 688-7302