# Pilot/Exploratory Studies Core (PESC)

> **NIH NIH P30** · DUKE UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $136,668

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY – PILOT AND EXPLORATORY STUDIES CORE (PESC)
The overall objective of the PESC is to conduct pilot studies that inform the selection, design, and conduct of
subsequent larger, hypothesis-testing research in the Duke OAIC theme ‘to understand and optimize reserve
and resilience’. The PESC supports studies of physiological reserve at cell, tissue, organ, and individual levels
because each are key contributors to understanding and bolstering resilience at the whole person level. While
this Core supports the crucial, resilience-related pilot work that is needed prior to the stage of intervention (e.g.,
development of measures or model systems), the PESC mentoring approach and OAIC environment trains
awardees to envision and strategize how their line of research will translate into improved human outcomes.
The Specific Aims of the PESC are (1) to advance top quality science related to late-life reserve and
resilience; (2) to attract and nurture a diverse cadre of outstanding investigators equipped to pursue promising
new directions in aging research related to our theme; (3) to build and sustain relationships with critical
stakeholders to maximize the impact and translation of the work conducted through the PESC. To accomplish
these Aims, the PESC partners extensively with other OAIC Cores to extend mentorship and training for
awardees (Research Education Component [REC]), to coordinate a broad solicitation and selection process to
attract and cultivate highly meritorious applications from a wide range of investigators (Leadership and
Administrative Core [LAC]), and to support individual project needs (Molecular Measures Core [MMC], Health
and Mobility Measures Core [HMC], and Analysis Core [AC]). The PESC also leverages institutional
resources including the Duke Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI), the Duke Aging Center, the
Duke Roybal Center, and the Duke REACH Equity Center. Further, the PESC engages stakeholders outside
of Duke University, including community representatives and external reviewers who contribute to project
selection as well as aging research networks that further awardees’ opportunities for career development and
scientific impact and translation. The PESC will support at least three projects each year, leveraging
institutional funding to support additional high caliber pilot projects or smaller-scale “seed” awards. Metrics of
success include attainment of individual project milestones; dissemination of results (presentations,
publications); diversity of the cadre of funded investigators; and use of pilot data to obtain funding for larger,
hypothesis-testing studies.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10465211
- **Project number:** 5P30AG028716-17
- **Recipient organization:** DUKE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Heather E. Whitson
- **Activity code:** P30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $136,668
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2006-09-15 → 2026-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10465211

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10465211, Pilot/Exploratory Studies Core (PESC) (5P30AG028716-17). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10465211. Licensed CC0.

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