UW Medicine

Biological Mechanisms of Healthy Aging Training Program

Training the next generation of leaders in geroscience

Please see Pre-Doctoral Openings and Post-Doctoral Openings for info on upcoming open positions. For more application information and deadlines please see the application procedure.

Program Description

The past two decades have seen major advances in understanding the basic mechanisms of biological aging.  Simultaneously, there has been a rapidly growing appreciation of the importance of these mechanisms in human health and disease, which has been conceptualized by the term “geroscience”.  This term refers to the research approach that seeks to understand this fundamental relationship between aging and disease. With the rapid expansion in knowledge and interest in this field, there is a great, unmet need to train the next generation of scientific leaders at the interface of fundamental mechanisms of biological aging and clinically relevant age-related disease.  This is the guiding principle of the Biological Mechanisms of Healthy Aging (BMHA) Training Program.  The goals of the BMHA training program are to provide outstanding pre-doctoral and post-doctoral scientists with (1) rigorous training in cutting-edge research focused on biological mechanisms of healthy aging, (2) exposure to, and the ability to critically evaluate, the breadth of knowledge, concepts, and approaches important in the field, and (3) the mentoring and skill sets necessary to achieve career success and become future scientific leaders. 

BMHA faculty members are highly productive and interactive investigators whose proficiencies encompass most of the modern tools of biomedical research. This research is helping us understand the fundamental mechanisms of cellular and organismal aging and how they impact lifespan and healthspan. BMHA faculty work with a wide range of organisms ranging from yeast, to nematode worms and fruit flies, to mouse and man. The BMHA training program is also home to the only large-scale observational and clinical geroscience study in pet dogs.

We have in place a dynamic, comprehensive training program that brings together the disciplines of genetics, molecular biology and fundamental gerontological research. We have excellent investigators in these fields who collaborate extensively. Our faculty includes both senior members who have extensive experience in training predoctoral and postdoctoral students as well as newer members whom we believe are future leaders in aging research. The didactic component of this program is organized around a Basic Biology of Aging course, journal club and an annual seminar and proseminar series. Expertise in biological mechanisms of healthy aging is taught predominantly by hands-on research in dynamic laboratories. All of our trainees carry out their research and didactic studies in an environment that regularly brings to their attention the exciting opportunities to apply cutting-edge approaches in geroscience.

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Current Trainees

The BMHA Training Program provides support for pre-doctoral and post-doctoral trainees performing research on biological aging at the University of Washington and affiliated institutions. […]

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Application Requirements

BMHA Training Program Application Procedures We invite applications from individuals who are interested in being considered for this program. Please note that all trainees in this program must be eligible to receive funding through the NIH Ruth L. Kirschstein Institutional National Research Service Award.  For current open positions see Pre-Doc Openings and Post-Doc Openings The University of Washington is an […]

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BMHA Leadership

External Advisory Committee Administrative Support […]

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Pre-Doctoral Openings

Biological Mechanisms of Healthy Aging Training Program  We currently have no pre-doctoral openings. If you are interested in applying, please contact the BMHA Administrative Office after reading the program description and requirements below. In order to be considered for a pre-doctoral position, you must be eligible for NIH T32 training. Training Program Description The goal […]

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Post-Doctoral Openings

Biological Mechanisms of Healthy Aging Training Program  Current Openings: One Post-Doctoral Position – Appointment beginning July 16, 2024 (Applications due by May 15, 2024) Applications may be submitted at any time. If you are interested in applying, please contact the BMHA Administrative Office after reading the program description and requirements below. In order to be […]

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Curriculum

The goal of our program is to train investigators for careers in geroscience. Each trainee will learn contemporary research techniques and apply them to research that addresses fundamental aspects of biological aging. At this time, we have annual support for 6 pre-doctoral students and 6 post-doctoral fellows. Features of the curriculum include: Seminar and Proseminar […]

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BMHA Training Faculty

Biological Mechanisms of Healthy Aging Training Program Faculty are able to serve as mentors for BMHA Trainees. […]

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