Maintaining the ability to walk without assistance and perform daily activities is essential for health and independence as we age.

It has been an exhilarating run, but the time has come for both me and NIA’s Division of Aging Biology (DAB) to explore new pastures. As some of you may know, on April 30, I will be stepping down from my position as DAB director.

Although clinical trials are vital for testing interventions to improve patient care, participating in traditional clinical trials is not always feasible for people living with dementia, nor their caregivers.

NIA’s rapid recent budget growth has underscored the importance of scientific review in advancing good research and developing the next generation of innovators.

As Dr. Hodes discussed in his post last week, the coronavirus pandemic has changed “business as usual” for scientists overnight.

The COVID-19 pandemic has rapidly changed how we live, work and learn. First and foremost, I want to assure everyone that the safety of older adults, a population known to be at high risk, is paramount to NIH and NIA leadership.

Note: This post was edited to remove broken links to the public comment form when it expired in April 2020.

As John Lennon once sang, “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.” This famous adage rings true in scientific careers, where critical life events — the arrival of a child or a loved one’s illness and caregiving responsibilities — often pause a promising career.