Robert Joseph Taylor, MSW, PhD, FGSA, is the recipient of the Inaugural James Jackson Outstanding Mentor Award from the Gerontological Society of American for 2021. This award recognizes outstanding commitment and dedication to mentoring minority researchers in the field of aging. As a recent indication of that commitment, Dr. Taylor conceived, organized, and directed an innovative Summer Mentoring Workshop…

The Michigan Center for African American Aging Research (MCUAAAR) and Program for Research on Black Americans (PRBA) is pleased to announce its 2021 Summer Mentoring Workshop on African American Research. The workshop is virtual and will take place June 2-4, 2020. Drs. Robert Joseph Taylor, Khari Brown and Amanda Woodward are the program faculty. The deadline to apply for the 2021 Summer Mentoring Program is April 19, 2021. This workshop emphasizes training in numerous areas including: 1) publishing in peer review journals, 2) writing grant proposals to the NIH, 3) the tenure process, 4) ethical conduct of research, 5) successful mentoring and collaborative relationships, and, most importantly, 6) how to navigate the academy. This workshop is for…

Co-PI Dr. Robert W. Turner II (2015 MCUAAAR Scientist) and Co-Investigator Tam Perry (2013 MCUAAAR Scientist), along with Co-PIs Drs. Monica Rivera-Mindt and Mary Carrillo received a notice of award (NOA) from the National Institute on Aging (NIA) for a 3-year R13 Super Bowl conference grant. The aims of this multidisciplinary conference series are: (1) to identify knowledge gaps and future priorities in cognitive reserve, resilience, aging, and AD/ADRD health disparities life course research among Black males; (2) to cultivate a culturally competent workforce trained and committed to addressing Black male’s brain health, cognitive aging, and AD/ADRD research; and (3) to build a national research volunteer registry of Black Males. They are equally excited to be working closely with…

Proposals are sought that support junior investigator-initiated research pilot projects that can lead to independent NIH-funded projects. Collaborative research projects that involve faculty from more than one department, school or institute are also encouraged. Proposals for behavioral and social science research that focus on the mental and physical health of older African-Americans are encouraged from all academic disciplines that address issues relevant to this topic. Proposals should recognize the importance of a person’s life course development as it relates to the specific research question of interest. Some examples of these issues include: quality of life, stress and coping, health effects of prejudice and discrimination, caregiving, social support, family life, cognition, mental disorders, morbidity and mortality, healthcare utilization, work and retirement…

Professor James S. Jackson, passed away Tuesday evening, September 1st, in Ann Arbor after a long battle with cancer. He passed away peacefully with his wife, Toni, and daughters Ariana and Kendra by his side.

James Jackson was the Founder and Leader of the Program for Research on Black Americans.

Peter A. Lichtenberg, PhD, ABPP, FGSA, has been elected Vice-President of the Board of Directors of the Gerontological Society of America (GSA). He will begin this important leadership position on January 1, 2021 and serve as President of the Board beginning January…