Gerontology Applied Research Grants

LIFE at UCF is proud to sponsor two yearly gerontology research grant programs. The Richard Tucker Gerontology Applied Research Grant and Al Dallago Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) Gerontology Research Grant programs provide significant funds to the students and faculty at the University of Central Florida to support this field of study important to our membership.   The grants are provided to promote all aspects of UCF research relating to the scientific study of the social, psychological and biological aspects of aging.  As such these grants are intended to provide incentive for and recognize Gerontology research studies at the University of Central Florida. Applications for the Ticher Gerontology Applied Research Grant are invited from master’s and doctoral students, post-doctoral fellows and faculty at all ranks and from all disciplines.  The amount of these awards is determined each year by the LIFE Board of Directors and depends upon revenues from membership fees and donations from LIFE members. To date, LIFE at UCF is proud to have donated over $375,500 in support of these programs.  We encourage each UCF organization to participate in these competitive programs.

Richard Tucker Gerontology Applied Research Grant

The Richard Tucker Gerontology Applied Research Grant is a competitive grant specifically for Applied Gerontology Research conducted at UCF by UCF faculty, staff, or graduate students under the sponsorship of UCF professors. The research may be proposed or in progress. Grant funds are generally allocation for one year or a shorter duration. Applicants may reapply in subsequent years.

The Application submission window opens each year in November and ends the following February. An email announcing the program details is sent to the UCF faculty during the fall semester. Awards are presented in April and are administered through the UCF Foundation.  Selection is made by a separate Gerontology Awards Committee that makes recommendations to the LIFE Board of Directors for final approval. The program includes interviewing finalists.   An email announcing the program details is made to the UCF faculty during the fall semester.

For more details and the application form go to this link: LIFE Gerontology Applied Research Grant

PAST YEAR AWARDS

In 2024-2025 LIFE at UCF awarded $28,986 to the following individuals through our Richard Tucker Gerontology Applied Research Program:

William Crampton, Ph.D.  “Natural Lifespan Doubling in Amazonian Electric Fish: A Novel Vertebrate Model for Aging Research” $5,000           
Kevan Knowles, MS “The Effects of Resistance Training Volume on Measures of Muscle Quality among Older Adults” $2,400
Shensheng Wang, Ph.D. “Humanness in the Eye of the Beholder: Perception of Humanoid Robots in Aging” $6,850
Samantha Gmitro, MS ” Bioactive Materials to Aid in Repair & Regeneration of Age Associated Bone Loss” $4,550
Rui Xie, Ph.D.  “Integrating Artificial Intelligence & Smart Health Systems for Personalized Fall Prevention & Health Management in Older Adults: A Pilot Study” $8,986
Xueqiang Wang, Ph.D. ” DPTrek: Developing Experiential Learning of Dark Patterns for Older Adults” $1,200

Al Dallago Undergraduate Gerontology Research Grant Program

The Al Dallago grant is awarded in collaboration with the UCF Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR). As such, submissions through the OUR that are projects which support to the goals of LIFE’s gerontology focus are shared with LIFE.  Both programs use the same time schedule and application form.  Award recipients can receive simultaneous awards from both UCF and LIFE.   Application is by semester for undergraduate students only.  Two $750.00 grants are provided yearly.  To be considered for this award, students need to fill out the UCF OUR application and merely check the Gerontology research box in the UCF application form.

https://ucf.infoready4.com/#competitionDetail/1914203

Al Dallago research grants awarded in Spring 2024:
  • Wesley Lim– “Examining the effect of artemisia annua extract in neuro2A cells” examines artemisinin as a potential candidate in future treatments of many neurological diseases, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Mr. Lim is working to contribute to the link between traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine.
  • Sydney Carey– “Building community and resilience through an adapted, aphasia-friendly, chair yoga for people with acquired brain injury and their care-partners.”
  • Anna Schoenherr– “In vitro binding affinity and kinetics analysis of novel JAK2 inhibitor ‘Ruscholitinib.’”
Al Dallago research grants awarded in Spring 2025:
  • Sarah Nguyen- “Examining the Effects of Post-Translational Modifications on Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Enzymatic Activity in Ischemic Conditions.”

Required Research Completion Reports

All LIFE Gerontology Research Grant recipients are required to file a Completion of Research Report when the project has been completed.  Completion of this report may impact future eligibility to receive LIFE Grants.  The report form can be accessed at this link: Research Completion Report.