Joseph A. Pignolo, Sr. Award in Aging Research
About the Award
The Joseph A. Pignolo, Sr. Award in Aging Research will be given out as part of the Institute on Aging (IOA) Visiting Scholar series to annually recognize an outstanding contribution to the field of biogerontology. Created by geriatrician and gerontologist Robert J. Pignolo, M.D., Ph.D. in honor of his father. Award recipients will be invited to give a lecture highlighting their work in basic aging research and will receive a $2,000 prize to recognize their exceptional contributions.
2012 Recipient
The 2012 recipient is being awarded to Darren A. Baker, PhD, Assistant Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, at the Mayo Clinic.
Dr. Baker's research focuses on the involvement of senescent cells in the processes of aging and cancer. He is looking closely at senescent cells in natural aging and the role of these cells in Alzheimer's and dementia. He has recently demonstrated the ability to significantly delay age-related pathologies and phenotypes, including cataract formation, by removing senescent cells. Dr. Baker was nominated for his Nature 2011 paper, "Clearance of p16Ink4a-positive senescent cells delays ageing-associated disorders."
The lecture will be held on September 27, 2012 at 3pm in BRB 2/3 Auditorium, 421 Curie Boulevard, on the University of Pennsylvania's campus. Those interested in attending the lecture should contact aging@mail.med.upenn.edu.
2010 Recipient
The first prize was given to Richard A. Miller, MD, PhD, Professor of Pathology at the University of Michigan and Associate Director for Research at its Geriatrics Center. Dr. Miller is also a Research Scientist at the Ann Arbor DVA Medical Center.
Dr. Miller's work centers on the genetics and cell biology of aging in mice, with emphasis on the immune system. Major ongoing projects include studies of Aging and T lymphocyte activation, with particular emphasis on protein kinases and cytoskeletal pathways in the first few minutes after encounter with antigen, and modification of the T cell surface glycoproteins to improve function of T cells from old mice.
The lecture was held on September 22, 2010 at 3:30pm in Austrian Auditorium, Clinical Research Building (CRB), 415 Curie Boulevard, University of Pennsylvania campus.
Nominations
Nominations for the award should be made to:
The Joseph A. Pignolo, Sr. Award in Aging Research
Nominations Committee
c/o Institute on Aging
3615 Chestnut Street
Room 210
Philadelphia, PA 19104-2676
215-898-3163
aging@mail.med.upenn.edu
The nominee shall be the first or last author of a paper or papers, published within the previous 2 years, describing an outstanding contribution to basic aging research. Two letters of nomination (or one letter of self-nomination plus an additional letter) describing the contribution and its relevance to basic aging principles, curriculum vitae, and copies of the paper or papers for which the award is being sought should be submitted by March 1, 2010.
Nominations Committee
Joshua Dunaief, MD, PhD
F. Brad Johnson, MD, PhD
Robert J. Pignolo, MD, PhD, Chair
John Q. Trojanowski, MD, PhD
How to support the Joseph A. Pignolo, Sr. Award in Aging Research
Please direct inquiries to:
Irene I. Lukoff
Director of Development
PENN Medicine Centers & Institutes
3535 Market Street, Suite 750
Philadelphia, PA 19104-3309
Email: ilukoff@upenn.edu
Tel: 215-573-0187 Fax: 215-573-2800
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