Advancing the Science of Healthy Aging
The Oklahoma Geroscience Training Program is an NIH-funded T32 training program dedicated to developing the next generation of leaders in aging research. By combining interdisciplinary scientific training, dual mentorship, quantitative skill development, and structured career preparation, the program equips predoctoral and postdoctoral trainees with the tools needed to become independent investigators in the field of geroscience.
At its core, the program is built around a central scientific challenge: understanding why individuals age differently. While aging is the greatest risk factor for many chronic diseases, aging trajectories vary widely among individuals. Some experience significant declines in health and function, while others maintain resilience and independence well into later life. Understanding the biological mechanisms that drive this heterogeneity is essential for developing interventions that promote healthy aging and extend healthspan.
A Collaborative Training Environment
The program brings together faculty, trainees, and resources from OU Health, the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF), and the Oklahoma City VA Medical Center. This collaborative environment provides access to a broad range of scientific expertise spanning neurobiology, cardiovascular physiology, metabolism, musculoskeletal aging, inflammation, resilience, and translational research.
By training across institutions and disciplines, trainees gain exposure to diverse perspectives, technologies, and approaches that reflect the increasingly interdisciplinary nature of modern biomedical research.
Training for Research Independence
The program's training model guides trainees through a structured pathway that combines rigorous scientific development with professional growth. Trainees engage in research, coursework, seminars, journal clubs, quantitative training, grant-writing activities, and professional development workshops designed to prepare them for successful careers in academia, government, industry, and other research-intensive settings.
A hallmark of the program is its dual-mentorship model, which pairs each trainee with a primary mentor and co-mentor who provide complementary scientific expertise and career guidance. This approach broadens scientific perspectives, strengthens collaborative opportunities, and helps trainees build the interdisciplinary skill set required for leadership in aging research.
Preparing the Next Generation of Geroscientists
Beyond scientific training, the program places a strong emphasis on grantsmanship, communication, leadership, and career development. Through initiatives such as F-Troop, quantitative training programs, and professional skills workshops, trainees develop the competencies needed to secure funding, lead research teams, and translate discoveries into meaningful advances in human health.
The ultimate goal of the Oklahoma Geroscience Training Program is to prepare scientists who can advance our understanding of aging biology and contribute to the development of strategies that improve health, resilience, and quality of life across the lifespan.