Advancing knowledge on how best to prevent and treat age-related functional decline and chronic diseases, including dementia, requires high-quality research conducted by skilled and experienced scientists. This training program equips postdoctoral fellows with the resources needed to build a successful research career through hands-on experience with expert mentors and structured formal education. Early-career researchers completing the program will gain both a deep scientific understanding of the pathways leading to age-related disability and a defined set of technical research skills, positioning them to become future leaders in aging and dementia research.

This training program is housed in the Sticht Center for Healthy Aging and Alzheimer’s Prevention (CHAPP) (Directors: Drs. Stephen Kritchevsky and Suzanne Craft); all Program Faculty are members of the CHAAP. In addition, there are seven other academic entities (Centers, Departments, or Divisions/Sections) affiliated with our T32. These academic units and faculty represent the full breadth of research activities relevant for the proposed training program with ample resources/facilities and training opportunities accessible to trainees.

Program Goals

This program aims to develop the next generation of researchers by providing an integrated career development path for PhD and MD fellows. Training emphasizes the skills and competencies needed to conduct translational research focused on preventing physical and cognitive disability. The program’s unique integration of aging and ADRD research within CHAAP and the Wake Forest School of Medicine’s Section on Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine creates an ideal environment for trainees to explore the biological underpinnings and risk factors of age-related changes in physical and cognitive function, as well as their interconnectedness.

Fellows will develop knowledge, skills, and competencies in:

  • Scientific knowledge across aging, brain biology, geroscience, ADRD, and clinical geriatric outcomes
  • Core research competencies to design and ethically conduct preclinical experiments, clinical trials, and longitudinal cohort studies relevant to older adults
  • Outcome measurement expertise in assessing cognitive and physical disability
  • Technical and methodological skills aligned with individual research interests