The Karen Bandeen-Roche Lab explores the application of underlying variable methods in epidemiologic and psychosocial research. Our team seeks to improve the ability to measure key outcomes like functional status and psychological disorders. Our other areas of statistical research include the study of classification and variance structure and multivariate survival analysis. We are deeply invested in the field of gerontology as well as ophthalmology and neurology.

The Pilot and Exploratory Studies Core supports pilot and exploratory studies related to developing effective prevention of and therapies for frailty in older adults. Our objective is to facilitate independence in older adults. We provide funding; access to biostatistical, biological and clinical research core resources; and mentoring and oversight to completion of pilot and exploratory studies.

Research in the Peter Abadir Lab focuses on the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), a signaling pathway that regulates blood pressure and has been linked independently to both aging and inflammation. We’re particularly interested in changes in RAS that occur with aging. We also study signal transduction and the role of the crosstalk between angiotensin II receptor in aging and are interested in understanding the function of angiotensin II in the process of vascular aging.

Research in the Ariel Green Lab focuses on informing and improving decisions surrounding the use of invasive medical technologies for older adults with complex medical diseases. Our long-term goals are to conduct epidemiologic research, create public health initiatives, and help shape policies that improve the lives of older adults.

Research in the Alicia Arbaje Lab aims to help older adults maintain dignity and quality of life as they age. We are particularly interested in creating health care systems to improve safety and outcomes for older adults.

Work in the Ayse Gurses Lab examines several topics related to human factors, including methods for improving patient safety in the cardiac operating room, care coordination, transitions of care and compliance of providers with evidence-based guidelines. Our team also has an interest in research that explores the working conditions of nurses. We collaborate on studies related to the development of geriatrics health service delivery at all levels of the health system.

Research in the Joseph Gallo Lab focuses on the form and course of depression in older adults; treatment in primary care settings; the use of mixed methods in health services research; and the epidemiology of psychiatric disorders in the population. Using NIMH Epidemiologic Catchment Area survey data, we have conducted studies using novel statistical modeling (the MIMIC model) to explore how depression presents differently among older adults versus younger people. We are taking part in the long-term follow-up of PROSPECT (Prevention of Suicide in Primary Care Elderly – Collaborative Trial) — a randomized study of depression management in primary care practices — and have examined mortality as an outcome in the context of medical comorbidity.

The Cochlear Center for Hearing and Public Health is dedicated to training clinicians, researchers and public health experts to study and address the impact that hearing loss has on older adults and public health. We aim to make measured local, national and global impacts through a macro level (e.g., public policy legislation), micro level (e.g., programs to deliver hearing care to individuals in a particular community), and everywhere in between (e.g., influential research publications, etc.) to adhere to our center’s overall mission and vision of effectively optimizing the health and function of an aging society and become the premier global resource for ground-breaking research and training on hearing loss and public health.

The Center on Aging and Health pursues creative approaches to solve the important health and health care problems for an aging population. Research in our center involves population-based and clinical studies of the causes, correlates, and consequences of aging-related conditions, including frailty, disability, and social isolation. We house four distinct research working groups: the Frailty and Multisystem Dysregulation Working Group; the Family and Social Resources Working Group; the Cognitive and Sensory Functions Working Group; and the Biostatistics, Design and Analysis Working Group. We provide key infrastructure, such as the statistical data core, that supports clinical- and population-based research and education with expertise in research with older adults.

Research in the Cynthia Boyd Lab concentrates on the clinical care of comorbid chronically ill and frail older adults, both chronically and during acute illnesses. Current projects focus on the treatment burden among older adults with multimorbidity, the importance of competing risks in decision-making for the elderly, the effects of guided care on the quality of care and the improvement of clinical practice guidelines for the elderly.