Julie Locher, M.D. continues to advance gerontology care through interventional nutrition research.Julie Locher, Ph.D., director of the University of Alabama at Birmingham Translational Nutrition and Aging Program, received the Gerontological Society of America 2016 M. Powell Lawton Award for her contributions in gerontology research.
Locher’s primary area of research focuses on social and environmental factors that affect eating behaviors and nutrition-related health outcomes in older adults and in cancer patients and survivors, including the roles of social support, as well as community and health care practices and policies. Her work includes interventional research and health services research utilizing large databases.
Locher examines practices and policies that affect the overall well-being of adults, cancer patients and cancer survivors, especially those with head and neck cancer, and identifying ways to best deliver quality care and services within the community to ensure nutritional well-being.
This distinguished award recognizes a significant contribution in gerontology that has led to an innovation in gerontological treatment, practice or service, prevention, amelioration of symptoms or barriers, or a public policy change that has led to some practical application improving the lives of older persons. It is sponsored by the Madlyn and Leonard Abramson Center for Jewish Life’s Polisher Research Institute and is named in memory of M. Powell Lawton, Ph.D., for his outstanding contributions to applied gerontological research.