Training Program in Aging Research
This is a combined pre and postdoctoral training program which focuses on cell and molecular biology of aging. With participating faculty coming from the basic science Departments (Biochemistry, Pharmacology and Pathology) and the clinical Departments (Dermatology, the Edith Nourse Rogers VA Hospital and the Geriatrics Section of Medicine), the program mixes the teaching and research strengths of both basic and clinical disciplines. Our faculty members focus on such areas as neurobiology, receptors, cell growth, cell signaling, bone maintenance, connective tissue biochemistry and genetics, with molecular and cellular procedures used as standard tools. The research projects of the training faculty are very well funded and provide an outstanding environment for the trainee. Our faculty was chosen carefully, enabling the program to train within most if not all major facets of biochemistry. Training includes formal course work, seminars, active faculty/trainee and trainee/trainee interactions and individual research projects that apply to cell and molecular biology of aging within a framework of clinical and epidemiologic aspects of senescence. The program has an excellent record.
Boston University has been very supportive of the training program. The Medical Campus provides an outstanding working environment for the trainee. The division of Graduate Medical Sciences (GMS) oversees the basic science departments. The division melds the courses of the various basic departments. It also oversees graduate requirements, sets standards and oversees the management of student affairs. The Division has made this training program a high priority. For example, Dr. Franzblau, the former head of GMS will be on the advisory committee. GMS and the individual departments also will supplement the Training Grant stipend for graduate students. The division has also been very supportive in establishing courses associated with aging (we now have three) A further example of the support we receive from the school and the departments will be our policy of financial support of the trainees in the beginning and end of their training. Following admission the graduate trainee will be supported by the individual department the 1st year. Thereafter, the trainee will be supported by the training program for no more than three years. If the trainee requires additional time until PhD award he/she will be supported either by the department or by the individual preceptor until graduation. Also, the retreats, lunches, invitations for individual speaker’s travel and stipend will be covered by the GMS and the participating departments. Another example will be the Award Day on Aging Research. This will follow the already established Russek Student achievement day where students display their research and are awarded a prize. Our aging community will now sponsor an award day in aging research for pre and postdocs. GMS will award $1000 to both the winning student and the winning postdoc (money will come out of non federal funds) The award will be called the F. Marott Sinex award in memory of Dr. Sinex who pioneered aging research not only at BU but also nationally.
This Training Program is open to students applying for graduate school, those already enrolled as graduate students and postdoctoral fellows interested in Aging Research. We encourage interested PostDoctorals to contact any of the faculty members involved in this program or contact the program director. For those interested in aging research at the graduate level, we welcome your application for graduate study at the Boston University School of Medicine. In the application please specify your interests regarding research on aging.
