Core Leaders
Alice Ryan, PhD
Phone: 410-605-7851
Email: aryan@som.umaryland.edu
Les Katzel, MD, PhD
Phone: 410-605-7248
Email: lkatzel@som.umaryland.edu
The Leadership and Administration Core (LAC) provides scientific leadership of the overall goals of the UM-OAIC and ensures that the UM-OAIC provides support for conducting novel research and training the next generation of scientists pursuing research careers in aging and oversight to the five UM-OAIC cores. Core leaders also foster maximal outreach and interaction with the rest of the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) interprofessional campus, other OAICs, and research programs elsewhere pursuing work on areas relevant to the UM-OAIC’s enablement theme.
The UM-OAIC will be led by an experienced team comprised of Alice Ryan, PhD (contact PI) and Leslie I. Katzel, MD, PhD, who will be responsible for the scientific direction, operation/management, evaluation and integration of the components of the UM-OAIC directed at the UM-OAIC goals of: 1) advancing research on the processes involved in enablement by identifying the impairments associated with acute injury and specific disabling diseases, investigating mechanisms and pathophysiology underlying them, and developing interventions that target these mechanisms; and 2) preparing early-stage and established investigators new to the field of aging and enablement to further the understanding of the aging process and develop interventions that help promote health and independence in older adults with acute injury and disabling conditions.
The LAC fosters ongoing discussion among core leaders and investigators to ensure research and research training are carried out in a cohesive, coordinated and integrated manner. The LAC also will continue engaging scientists and educators from across the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) so that research and research training can take full advantage of the breadth and depth of experience in aging and other relevant areas to facilitate collaborations that advance UM-OAIC goals. It is the synergistic and collaborative efforts of this group of scientists that makes the UM-OAIC so productive and successful.
To meet the goals of the LAC, we have implemented the following specific aims:
Specific Aim 1.
- Aim 1A. Coordinate, oversee and evaluate all aspects of the UM-OAIC, including developing collaborations among OAIC cores and with other OAICs or other projects, assess the potential for translation between basic and clinical research; and enhance integration with other relevant programs at UMB to support enablement research.
- Aim 1B. Develop and allocate core resources and assess new utilization of core resources that support the conduct of basic, clinical, and translational research designed to advance UM-OAIC goals; Manage the UM-OAIC budget and distribution of funds, assure adherence to federal regulations and NIA policies, and report scientific progress and resource use annually to NIA.
Specific Aim 2.
- Aim 2A. Enrich the cadre of basic, clinical and population scientists conducting translational research in the enablement of disabled older people by recruiting outstanding early-stage investigators (ESI) and senior faculty and research staff to become involved in the UM-OAIC.
- Aim 2B. Advance the careers of ESI from multiple disciplines to become independent investigators and academic leaders in aging research.
Specific Aim 3. Ensure independent review and oversight of UM-OAIC research and scholar training, data quality and integrity, and safety for studies undertaken by pilot study awardees and REC Scholars.
Specific Aim 4. Convene meetings of UM-OAIC core components to ensure ongoing and uninterrupted operations; submission of information to the OAIC Coordinating Center; & attendance at annual OAIC meeting.