Healthy Aging and Longevity
Seed Funding for Research Collaborations
Advancing Research in Healthy Aging and Longevity
In early 2025, Northwestern University, Tel Aviv University, and the University of Toronto announced a call for proposals for seed funding to support research collaborations in the field of healthy aging and longevity.
Six proposals were funded across several academic fields:
| Proposal Title | PIs | PIs |
|---|---|---|
| Deciphering cell fate decisions following aneuploidy emergence in aging and disease |
Uri Ben-David
Tel Aviv University |
Yogesh Goyal Northwestern |
| Link between circadian disruption and biomarkers of accelerated aging |
Kristen Knutson
Northwestern |
Yoav Gothilf
Tel Aviv University |
| Empowering elders with AI: positive aging and well-being |
Angela Lee
Northwestern |
Danit Ein-Gar
Tel Aviv University |
| The role of metabolostasis in neurodegenerative disorders |
Ehud Gazit
Tel Aviv University |
Richard Morimoto Northwestern |
| Capturing socioemotional engagement among older adults during dynamic group sessions: A pilot study |
Debbie Rand
Tel Aviv University |
Claude Haase Northwestern |
| Improving memories of everyday life in older adults by combining replay during wake and sleep |
Morgan Barense
University of Toronto |
Ken Paller Northwestern |
Online Conference
The Call for Proposal was a result of the Healthy Aging and Longevity Online Conference, which was held virtually on October 30 and 31, 2024, and brought together over 60 researchers from Northwestern University, Tel Aviv University, and the University of Toronto. The event focused on sharing innovative research and fostering collaborations in the field of healthy aging and longevity.
Over 30 researchers presented their work on diverse topics such as neurodegenerative diseases, mitochondrial diseases in aging, cardiovascular health, sleep, cognitive decline, social aspects of aging, and more.
Participants aimed to learn about each institution’s research programs, identify potential collaborators, and consider joint research projects with high potential for external funding.
The conference facilitated knowledge exchange and set the stage for future collaborative research supported by a Call for Proposals from all three participating universities for projects aimed at advancing the understanding and promotion of healthy aging and longevity.
A collaboration between
- AGE-WELL, University of Toronto, Canada
- Healthy Longevity Research Center, Tel Aviv University, Israel
- Potocsnak Longevity Institute, Northwestern University, USA
Northwestern Contacts:
- Douglas Vaughan, Director, Potocsnak Longevity Institute; Irving S. Cutter Professor of Medicine Emeritus, Feinberg School of Medicine
- Dévora Grynspan, Vice President for International Relations
- Kim Rapp, Assistant Vice President for International Relations