Geroscience Education and Training (GET) Network

Summary In developing educational materials and meeting with our GET Network advisory committees we often discuss where the educational boundaries of the GET Network may dovetail with existing or upcoming training programs in aging (both basic and clinical) and geroscience. For example, the NIA's Division of Aging Biology recently published an approved concept informed by the

Trans-NIH GeroScience Interest Group (GSIG) to create “short-term educational programs with a primary focus on courses that enhance and expand Geroscience skills and development at all levels of professional career development.” This concept is aligned with the mission of the GET Network, yet independent. Similarly, other NIA-supported R25's (eg, R25AG071488) are also

creating educational content or delivery methods highly relevant to other groups. We hope to share resources, update on our progress, and get input from a wider group of people working on similar concepts, as we all have much to learn for long-standing educational programs in aging. An opportunity presented itself when we were approached by the CEO of GSA, James Appleby,

about disseminating GET Network content and scope at the society's 2022 meeting. During our discussions, we realized that more than just presenting work completed within the GET Network, there is a real advantage to engaging with investigators and educators beyond the GET Network. We are therefore requesting an administrative supplement to support a

preconference workshop at the 2023 GSA meeting to allow us to harmonize with other educational programs, introduce key concepts for teaching and training programs in geroscience, and disseminate our work. This is directly aligned with the goals of the GET Network, but represents additional work beyond what was proposed in the parent award.

We will invite 50 interdisciplinary participants to attend and contribute as speakers and discussants, including students, early career contributors and key stakeholders. Additionally, we plan to hold meetings for our Content and Dissemination committee members on the same day. Finally, three junior faculty or postdocs will be selected to record the discussions and participate

in a separate whitepaper writing retreat to develop a manuscript of the meeting proceedings for submission to a GSA-affiliated journal.