In support of the Wake Forest University School of Medicine's Claude Pepper Older Americans Independence Center (OAIC), the Pilot/Exploratory Studies Core (PESC) develops key information to select and design original and independently-funded studies that can advance our insight into the pathways that affect physical function.

The Pilot/Exploratory Studies Core solicits and selects, with the assistance of the joint scientific review panel, innovative and promising pilot and exploratory studies which address the OAIC research theme.

The PESC fosters pilot and exploratory studies by providing:

  • Infrastructure
  • Environment
  • Funding
  • Expertise/Mentoring

The core also promotes tight integration of pilot and exploratory studies with the resources available from other OAIC cores and throughout Wake Forest University. 

Recent Pilot Awards

  • “Adapting a Daylong Movement Intervention to Improve Pain and Physical Function in Pre-frail Older Adults with Advanced Cancer” Jennifer Gabbard, MD (Gerontology & Geriatric Medicine)
  • “BRAIN-GLOW: BRAIN Networks and GLP-1s to Leverage Optimal Weight” Jonathan Burdette, MD (Radiology)
  • “SASP Biomarkers Predictive of Successful Rehabilitation in the REHAB-HF Trial” Charles Semelka, MD (Gerontology & Geriatric Medicine)
  • “Longitudinal follow-up of the IGROOVE study: associations between physical activity and cognition after completion of a 6-month physical activity intervention” Christina Hugenschmidt, PhD (Gerontology & Geriatric Medicine)
  • “Extracellular Vesicle MicroRNA in Early Mobility and Critical Illness in Older Adults” Jennifer Krall, MD (Pulmonology)
  • “BNET-EYE: Vision, Brain Networks, and Physical Function in the BNET Study” Atalie Thompson, MD, PhD (Ophthalmology)
  • “METpEF Energetics: Effects of Metformin on Mitochondrial Function” Philip Kramer, PhD / Bumsoo Ahn, PhD (Gerontology & Geriatric Medicine)
  • “SOMEMA: Study of Muscle Exosomes, Mobility, and Aging: Circulating skeletal muscle-derived exosomes as biomarkers of muscle health in aging nonhuman primates” Deep et al. (Register, Shively, Quillen)
  • “Vivo Heart: Home-Based Exercise Program for Older Adults with Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)” Tina Brinkley, PhD (Gerontology & Geriatric Medicine)