# Translational Research Training on Aging and Mobility (TRAM)

> **NIH NIH T32** · UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA · 2021 · $302,121

## Abstract

Preserved mobility is one of hallmarks of geriatric care, gerontology and geroscience. The loss of mobility with
aging is progressive, caused by multiple factors and does not have a simple cure. Unfortunately, mobility loss
continues to lack clinical attention, robust biomedical targets, objectively-measured surveillance systems, and
effective treatments. As a result, mobility difficulties have remained persistently high and stagnant since it was
systematically measured in the late 1980's. Currently, 30% of Americans aged 60-69, 40% of individuals aged
70-79, and 55% of individuals age 80 or older report difficulties with their mobility (e.g. walking and climbing
stairs). To address this unmet need, we propose the Translational Research training on Aging and Mobility
(TRAM) postdoctoral training program to train 4 post-doctoral fellows per year (2 in year one). The overall goal
of the TRAM program is to develop outstanding independent investigators capable of sustaining productive
multi-disciplinary and translational research careers addressing the multi-factorial causes and consequences of
age-related changes in mobility and/or designing multi-modal interventions to prevent and rehabilitate mobility
impairments in older adults. The goals are to: 1) Provide a 2-3 year integrated training program for PhD/MD
fellows to create a career pathway for conducting mechanistic and clinically relevant translational research in
mobility and aging; 2) Implement a cross-fertilized training program based on the Experiential Learning Theory;
3) To equip trainees with new research skills along with the knowledge and expertise to address impactful and
unanswered questions regarding mobility and aging; 4) Closely monitor and track trainee-related experiences
and outcomes for making continuous quality improvements; 5) Create a culture for professional excellence
and development based on enhancing rigor, reproducibility and transparency in trainee-related research and;
6) To attract, recruit and enroll minorities, and those with disabilities and disadvantaged backgrounds. TRAM
program faculty are collaborators on each other's projects, bring strong mentorship experience and successful
commitment to research related to mobility and/or aging. Program faculty are grouped into either Aging or
Mobility Research Clusters based on research focus and expertise. TRAM will use a mosaic mentoring
approach that will employ dual primary mentors— one from “aging” and another from “mobility” expertise— a
third mentor will serve as an advocate/sponsor. Mentees will also receive support from other archetypes like
coaches, connectors and senior peer mentors. This unified mentoring team will guide trainees through an
individual development plan, didactic coursework (e.g. mechanistic and clinical-based research on aging
and/or mobility, ethics, responsible conduct of research), directed research training, and professional
development activities (e.g. strategic planning, innovative leade...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10130424
- **Project number:** 5T32AG062728-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
- **Principal Investigator:** Todd Manini
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $302,121
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-05-01 → 2025-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10130424

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10130424, Translational Research Training on Aging and Mobility (TRAM) (5T32AG062728-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10130424. Licensed CC0.

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