UAB has been named one of only six Nathan Shock Centers of Excellence by the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute on Aging. Dr. Steven Austad, Distinguished Professor and Chair of the Department of Biology, is the principal investigator.

Dr. Steven AustadThe Division of Aging Biology of the NIA funds Nathan Shock Centers of Excellence in the Basic Biology of Aging across the country. The centers provide leadership in the pursuit of basic research into the biology of aging. The NIH grant will provide more than $2.5 million in funding to UAB over a five-year period.

“This award provides a vote of confidence for our research efforts,” says Austad. “With this new funding, we’ll be able to continue on a positive trajectory and continue to make valuable contributions to understanding the biology of aging.”

Each Nathan Shock Center specializes in areas that in turn provide services to Shock Center members, as well as for-fee services to the community at large. The areas of specialization are different in each center, depending on the strengths of each institution. UAB’s focus will lie in animal research.

“Understanding how animals age is crucial in advancing treatments for humans, and that’s what we aim to further in carrying out the work of the Nathan Shock Center here at UAB,” said Austad. “Aging is the number one cause of death and disability in today’s world. We hope to help find answers that can address this enormous health problem.”