Wayne State University

Warrior strong
Login
Search

Institute of Gerontology

Education

IOG Predoctoral Training

The IOG Predoctoral Training Program is open to a limited number of graduate students at Wayne State University, post master's degree or equivalent, who are committed to excellence in research and a career focused on aging. We encourage an interdisciplinary research environment and have had students from disciplines such as: anthropology, economics, sociology, occupational therapy and psychology. The goal of the training program is to prepare students for professional careers in research, with an expertise in aging and health. Current IOG Predoctoral Students

For more information contact:
Tam Perry, Ph.D., Director, Pre-Doctoral Training at: teperry@wayne.edu.
IOG Pre-Doctoral Training Program Details
Faculty Mentors 

IOG Postdoctoral Training

The IOG Post-Doctoral Training Program is open to fellows working with IOG faculty and laboratories at Wayne State University. Post-doctoral fellows are emerging scholars in their fields of study related to issues in aging and lifespan development, including cognitive neuroscience, psychology, kinesiology, economics, anthropology, and nursing. We provide a collaborative learning community to support professional development for post-doctoral fellows that scaffolds their continuing training in research within their lab. The goal of the training program is to support the career and personal development for fellows to become leaders in their field and future independent careers. Current IOG Postdoctoral Fellows

For more information, contact:
Ana Daugherty, Ph.D., Director of the Post-Doctoral Training Program
ana.daugherty@wayne.edu
Include information on the fellow’s department affiliation and faculty mentor at Wayne State University.

Resources and Funding

Currently, the Post-Doctoral Training Program does not provide funding for stipends or research expenses. Affiliated members can apply for annual travel awards sponsored by the IOG to attend professional conferences to present research.

The training program includes monthly meetings and workshop materials on dedicated topics on professional development. Examples include:

  • Writing and Grantsmanship. This open topic includes training to implement SMART Goals for research productivity, peer review process, developing specific aims and letters of intent for grant applications, and writing accountability. Additional resources and sponsored workshops are available at Wayne State University for NIH and NSF grant writing.

  • Mentoring. We provide supplemental training to assist post-doctoral fellows transition into roles where they mentor pre-doctoral trainees or undergraduates. This topic includes semester planning, leading discussions, giving feedback, and writing letters of recommendation.

  • Community Engagement. The IOG has a commitment to community education and engagement through research, and we support supplemental training in science communication for lay and professional audiences, developing online professional profiles, and advice for media interviews.

  • Leadership. We support IOG post-doctoral fellows as emerging leaders across fields and job sectors with training in difficult conversations, collaborative decision making, and developing a leadership vision statement.

  • Academic Faculty and Research Positions. Supporting career development is a priority for the group and we provide example resources and workshops to develop job application materials for positions in academic settings, including writing research and diversity statements, making a teaching a portfolio, and start-up negotiation considerations.

  • Alt-AC, Industry and Policy Positions. Based on the interests of the group, we support career development for positions outside of academic settings, including industry, data science, and policy making. This includes information interviews with professionals, developing a resume from the curriculum vitae, and negotiation strategies.

Research Colloquia

The IOG hosts research presentations given by national speakers and community professionals on topics related to aging and health. Held twice monthly on Tuesdays, September through May. These include professional development seminars aimed at graduate students.
Join Listserv for IOG Research Colloquia. This link will take you to a sign-up for targeted e-newsletters from the IOG and the affiliated Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute (MPSI). Simply check the lists you would like to join. Announcements are sent through Contant Contact, so make sure you allow Constant Contact emails into your inbox. Questions? Email Cheryl Deep at cheryldeep@wayne.edu.

Lifespan Alliance

In 2008, Dr. Peter Lichtenberg and the leadership teams of the IOG and Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute for Child & Family Development created the Lifespan Alliance for Health and Development. While maintaining each Institute’s independence, our alliance promotes collaboration between Institutes on research and research training, capitalizing on their shared experience in psychosocial and neurobehavioral research, as well as their unique combined expertise in developmental sciences and gerontology. It's training programs bring together faculty and students from diverse disciplines including Anthropology, Education, Health Sciences (Obstetrics, Pediatrics, Psychiatry & Public Health), Infant Mental Health, Behavioral, Cognitive & Developmental Neuroscience, Communication Sciences & Disorders, Nursing, Political Science, Developmental & Clinical Psychology, Economics, Social Work, and Sociology to study health, well-being, human development, and successful aging, from the earliest preconception stages through infancy, childhood, adolescence, parenthood, and older ages.

Each spring we host a Research Day that showcases basic, clinical, community-based, and translational research within and across these disciplines by the graduate and undergraduate students of the IOG and MPSI. This annual event open to the public provides an opportunity for community members to engage with individuals who are becoming the next generation of leading researchers and practitioners, soon to-be professionals who will generate new scientific knowledge and develop best practices for improving health and well-being across the lifespan, in Detroit and beyond.

Continuing Education Credits & Contact Hours for Professionals

The IOG's outreach program offers more than 100 presentations each year free to social workers, nurses and other professionals who work with older adults. During the pandemic, these are offered via Zoom and require pre-registration. Most programs offer 1 - 3 CEs or contact hours nursing. Topics vary and are always presented by subject-matter experts. Recent topics have included:

  • Human Trafficking

  • Anxiety, Depression and Despair have Consequences

  • Manage Chronic Pain before it Manages You

  • Culture, Sensitivity and You

Be sure to sign up to receive our Constant Contact CE events directly in your inbox. This link will take you to a sign-up for targeted e-newsletters from the IOG and the affiliated Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute (MPSI). Simply check the lists you would like to join. Announcements are sent through Contant Contact, so make sure you allow Constant Contact emails into your inbox. Questions? Email Cheryl Deep at cheryldeep@wayne.edu.