The Gerontological Society of America (GSA) — the nation's largest interdisciplinary organization devoted to the field of aging — has chosen Yung-Ping Chen, PhD, of the University of Massachusetts Boston as the 2010 recipient of the Robert W. Kleemeier Award.
This distinguished honor is given annually to a GSA member in recognition for outstanding research in the field of gerontology. It was established 1965 in memory of Robert W. Kleemeier, PhD, a former president of the Society whose contributions to the quality of life through research in aging were exemplary.
The award presentation will take place at GSA's 63rd Annual Scientific Meeting, which will be held from November 19 to 23, 2010, in New Orleans, LA. This conference is organized to foster interdisciplinary collaboration among researchers, educators, and practitioners who specialize in the study of the aging process. Visit www.geron.org/2010 for further details.
Chen is a fellow of the Gerontology Institute within the John W. McCormack Graduate School of Policy Studies and a professor emeritus at the University of Massachusetts Boston.
Throughout his career, Chen's scholarly work has emphasized the application of research to the real world of policy making. He has been tireless in disseminating research findings and policy proposals through various venues in the U.S. and internationally.
Chen has participated, either as delegate or consultant or both, in four consecutive White House Conferences on Aging since 1971 and the 1998 White House Conference on Social Security. He also served on the expert panel for the 1979 Advisory Council on Social Security. He has presented testimony to congressional committees, and he has consulted for government agencies in the U.S. and abroad.
Chen is a GSA fellow, which represents the Society's highest class of membership. In the interest of promoting discussions of economic issues within the multidisciplinary community of scholars and practitioners in gerontology, he founded GSA's Economics of Aging newsletter and edited it for five years. In the early 1990s, Chen also chaired GSA's Economics of Aging Interest Group.
The Gerontological Society of America (GSA) is the nation's oldest and largest interdisciplinary organization devoted to research, education, and practice in the field of aging. The principal mission of the Society — and its 5,200+ members — is to advance the study of aging and disseminate information among scientists, decision makers, and the general public. GSA's structure also includes a policy institute, the National Academy on an Aging Society, and an educational branch, the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education.