The Gerontological Society of America (GSA) — the nation's largest interdisciplinary organization devoted to the field of aging — has chosen Karl Pillemer, PhD, of Cornell University as the 2010 recipient of the M. Powell Lawton Award.
This distinguished honor 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 that improves 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, PhD, for his outstanding contributions to applied gerontological research.
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.
At Cornell University, Pillemer is the Hazel E. Reed Human Ecology Professor in the Department of Human Development, a professor of gerontology in medicine in the Division of Geriatrics and Gerontology at Weill Cornell Medical College, and director of the Cornell Institute for Translational Research on Aging (CITRA). His major research interests center on human development over the life course, with a special emphasis on family and social relationships in middle age and beyond.
Pillemer's work has been highly influential and has played a crucial role in contemporary legislative and social efforts to prevent and detect elder abuse. His studies were among the first to investigate the epidemiology of this problem, and remain a model of how research methods can be applied to socio-medical concerns. His work on developing and evaluating programs for direct care workers in nursing homes is also noteworthy. CITRA, under his co-direction, is one of thirteen Edward R. Roybal Centers for Translational Research in the Behavioral and Social Sciences of Aging nationwide. He has led the institute to become a national leader in developing new methods of collaboration between researchers and communities.
Pillemer currently serves as a member-at-large for GSA's Behavioral and Social Sciences Section, and is a GSA fellow, which represents the Society's highest class of membership.
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.