Achievement

All of our IGERT trainees are required to attend the Annual Scientific Meetings of the Gerontological Society of America (GSA). GSA is the oldest and largest interdisciplinary organization devoted to research, education, and practice in the field of aging. Attendance at the meeting allows students to learn about cutting-edge interdisciplinary research in aging and present their own interdisciplinary research. It also gives students the opportunity to network within an international organization that is the most highly regarded in terms of interdisciplinary research. This conference is outside the trainees' primary disciplines as no one will earn a doctorate in gerontology - so attendance at this conference represents added value to the trainees' experience. The extended time away from campus is also helpful for the IGERT students to bond as a cohort, meet productive research teams from outside OSU, and be immersed in an interdisciplinary research climate related to healthy aging.