On Friday, November 7 at 5:00 pm, AFAR will present its 2014 Scientific Awards during a special ceremony at the Annual Scientific Meeting of the Gerontological Society of America (GSA) in Washington D.C.
“These awards are given annually to members of the aging research community whose work advances the field, and advances our understanding of aging,” notes AFAR Executive Director Stephanie Lederman, EdM. “Both awards are named in honor of farsighted scientists, and the recipients are chosen for their vision and accomplishments as well.”
Nominations for the awards are by invitation, and are judged by an independent panel of leading aging researchers. Nominees must have made significant contributions to aging research.
Terrie Fox Wetle, MS, PhD, the inaugural Dean of Brown University’s School of Public Health and Professor of Health Services, Policy and Practice, will receive the Irving S. Wright Award of Distinction. This award is named in honor of AFAR’s founder and recognizes exceptional contributions to basic or clinical research in the field of aging. Established in 1982, the award is a framed citation and carries a cash prize of $2,500. In nominating Dr. Wetle, a colleague noted that “Dr. Wetle has consistently built bridges between disciplines, and in doing so, her leadership skills and intellect have significantly helped translate biomedical research into public health initiatives.”
Rafael de Cabo, PhD, Senior Investigator, Translational Gerontology Branch, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, will receive the Vincent Cristofalo Rising Star Award in Aging Research. This award is named in honor of the late Dr. Cristofalo, who dedicated his career to aging research and to encouraging young scientists to investigate important problems in the biology of aging. Established in 2008, the award is a framed citation and carries a cash prize of $5,000. In his nomination, Dr. de Cabo, was lauded as “one of the most preeminent young scientists in the field of aging research” whose publications “have already led to important surprises and already begun to modulate our understanding of the fundamental aspects of the genetics, cell biology and the molecular processes of aging.”
At the November 7th ceremony, each awardee will share a related lecture. Dr. Wetle will present on “Translating Research to Improve Health of Aging Populations.” Dr. de Cabo’s lecture will explore “Calorie Restriction: Where Are We Now?”
To date, AFAR has presented thirty-five Irving Wright Awards and seven Vincent Cristofalo awards.
Learn more about the history of AFAR’s Scientific Awards and past awardees here.
The 2014 scientific award winners also will be recognized at AFAR’s 2014 Regional Awards Dinner on Wednesday, November 12 in New York City at the Lotos Club. For tickets and sponsorship opportunities, click here.
To download a copy of the press release for this event click here.
