# Core D: Environmental Assessment Core

> **NIH NIH U19** · UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON · 2022 · $130,622

## Abstract

CORE D – ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT CORE
PROJECT SUMMARY
The goals of the Dog Aging Project are to create a cohort of 10,000 companion dogs through which it will
become possible to identify the genetic and environmental determinants of healthy aging, discover the
underlying mechanisms through which genes and environment influence aging, and test a highly promising
drug for its ability to increase lifespan and healthspan. Given that the majority of variation in aging phenotypes
within mammalian species is likely to be explained by differences in environmental exposures – either alone or
via interactions with inherited genetic factors – measurement of environmental variables for each dog in the
cohort is essential. In order to meet the needs of the scientific projects for coordinated expertise in determining
which aspects of the environment should and can be characterized, and through which approaches, an
Environmental Assessment Core (EAC) will be established. The overall goal of the EAC is to support the
scientific aims of the research projects by developing and implementing strategies for acquiring data that
characterize various aspects of the companion dog environment. Specific aims of this Core are to: 1) Design
and implement annual dog owner-administered questionnaires that elicit each dog's travel history, non-
prescription medications, diet and feeding, household environment, physical activity, reproductive activity, and
behavior, as well as key behavioral and health conditions for owners; 2) Collect, process, validate, and prepare
primary and secondary data related to conditions of the dog's environment; and, 3) Collaborate with Project
Investigators to develop analytic strategies to assess the role of environmental conditions, and their
interactions with genetic factors, in processes of aging.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10440337
- **Project number:** 5U19AG057377-05
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
- **Principal Investigator:** Kyle D Crowder
- **Activity code:** U19 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $130,622
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-09-01 → 2024-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10440337

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10440337, Core D: Environmental Assessment Core (5U19AG057377-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-21 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10440337. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*