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American Federation for Aging Research Launches Upstate Affiliate at University of Rochester Medical Center

BUSINESS WIRE, April 23, 2003

ROCHESTER, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE) - April 23, 2003 - New Office Will Support Grants for Upstate Researchers Studying the Aging Process and Diseases Like Alzheimer's, Diabetes and Osteoporosis.

The American Federation for Aging Research (AFAR), a leading Manhattan-based nonprofit organization supporting biomedical research on the aging process and age-related diseases, today opened an affiliate office based independently at the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC).

The new office will be called the Upstate AFAR Affiliate at the University of Rochester Medical Center (UAA-URMC), and will be chaired by URMC's Dr. Howard Federoff.
"We are thrilled to announce today the establishment of our new Affiliate office, which will raise awareness and funds to support aging research grants across Upstate New York," said AFAR's executive director Stephanie Lederman. "This work will lead to a better understanding of the aging process and to improvements in the health of all Americans as they age. The URMC is a natural partner for AFAR, it is both a world-class medical institution and a recognized leader in the study and care of the elderly."

"There is unprecedented opportunity to investigate basic scientific mechanisms and extrapolate these towards the care of our aging population," said Dr. Howard Federoff, Director of the University of Rochester Medical Center's Center for Aging and Developmental Biology, and a member of the AFAR Board of Directors. "Young clinicians and scientists are increasingly sought to focus their investigative careers on problems related to aging and age-related diseases. Their efforts are remarkably stimulated by the availability of funding options to facilitate their entrance into the research arena. Since its inception AFAR has recognized this need and in partnership with the Upstate Affiliate will succeed in helping launch new investigators."

The new Affiliate will raise funds to support, at least initially, two regional research grants of $50,000 each. These grants will be awarded to investigators at Upstate medical schools like the University of Rochester Medical Center and research institutions that are studying the aging process and age-related diseases and conditions like Alzheimer's diabetes and osteoporosis.

The UAA-URMC office will be overseen by a regional Board of Directors, and the regional grant program will be overseen by a scientific advisory panel that will market the grants and provide a first tier review of applications. The best of those applications will then be sent along to AFAR's national scientific advisory committee for review and scoring. Regional grants will only be awarded to those applications that meet AFAR's strict standards of scientific merit.
In addition to raising funds the Affiliate will promote the field of aging research through educational and informational forums held throughout the Upstate region. These events will raise awareness of the need to support research into the aging process and its attendant diseases, and make the case for supporting a new generation of geriatricians who are needed to care for our nation's rapidly aging population.

FAR is a leading, national nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting basic aging research. Since its founding in 1981, AFAR has provided more than $64 million to more than 1,800 researchers. Support for AFAR grants comes from foundations, corporations and individuals. For more information about AFAR please visit our web site www.afar.org, and for more information about the field of aging research please visit our educational web site www.infoaging.org.