# Research Education Component

> **NIH NIH P30** · UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR · 2022 · $266,922

## Abstract

Abstract
The goal of the UM OAIC Research Education Core (REC) is to recruit, select, support, mentor, and train
junior faculty to become independent investigators in aging-related research and academic leaders in geriatrics
and gerontology within their respective disciplines. A key additional objective is to train the next generation of
investigators about the UM OAIC focus of how metabolic factors and inflammation interact with age-related
diseases and comorbidities to determine key health outcomes related to mobility and functional status.
Aim 1. Recruit, select, and train REC Scholars
We will support 4 REC Scholars per year of this award, two continuing and two new Scholars per year. The
REC career development award ensures Scholars can protect their time for career development and research.
Central to the training of each REC Scholar is a (1) a mentorship team with a primary mentor and at least one
other secondary mentor from the Pepper Center leadership, (2) mentored research project, (3) formal
seminars, (4) presentation of project results (works-in-progress in the Scholar’s first year and formal
presentation in year 2) and (5) participation in the annual mock NIH study section. The REC works closely
with the UM Michigan Institute for Clinical and Health Research (MICHR) to assist the Scholar in
understanding how to translate basic findings into clinical research or clinical findings into mechanistic studies.
Aim 2. Provide career development enhancement for REC Scholars and other UM junior faculty
In addition to training the REC Scholars, the Pepper Center will also serve as a rich resource for career
development and advancing aging research conducted by the UM research community, with a focus on UM
junior faculty development. The REC offers a seminar program in aging research, leadership, and career
development; conducting the annual mock NIH study section research retreat program; and contributing to
the annual Geriatrics Center-wide research symposium. REC career development enhancement activities
help the REC Scholar apply basic findings to clinical investigation, explore mechanisms underlying
clinical and epidemiological findings, and translate basic and clinical findings to a broader older adult
community. The REC has designed the career development program for the REC Scholars with the capacity
to include other UM junior faculty in aging research, such as PESC awardees.
Aim 3. Evaluate REC Scholar progress and mentorship
The evaluation plan begins with designing each Scholar’s career development plan, which consists of
discrete elements (regular meetings with mentors, writing, presentation at a national meeting, grant
writing) customized to each Scholar’s needs depending on area of research. The REC will monitor
publications and grant proposal output every 6 months, using the customized plan as the benchmark for
progress. This Aim includes structured and qualitative evaluation of the mentor and mentee interactions.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10448476
- **Project number:** 5P30AG024824-18
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR
- **Principal Investigator:** Neil Alexander
- **Activity code:** P30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $266,922
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2004-09-30 → 2025-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10448476

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10448476, Research Education Component (5P30AG024824-18). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10448476. Licensed CC0.

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