Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-34) meets with the Director of the National Institute on Aging (NIA) to discuss the NIA-supported Roybal Centers for Translational Research and Social Sciences of Aging.  The Centers were authorized by Congress in 1992 based on legislation authored by the congresswoman’s late father, Congressman Edward Roybal, who was the then Chair of the House Select Committee on Aging.  Later, the centers were named in his honor. 

The establishment of these Centers on applied gerontology research promotes translation of basic research findings into clinical applications that benefit older adults.  There are currently 10 centers in operation throughout the country.

The NIA is one of the 27 Institutes and Centers of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).  The NIA leads a broad scientific effort to understand the nature of aging and to extend healthy, active years of life. In 1974, Congress granted authority to form NIA to provide leadership in aging research, training, health information dissemination, and other programs relevant to aging and older people. Subsequent amendments to this legislation designated the NIA as the primary federal agency on Alzheimer’s disease research.

Pictured in the group photo from left to right: Richard Suzman, Ph.D., Director, Division Behavioral and Social Research, National Institute on Aging, NIH; Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-34); Richard Hodes, M.D., Director, National Institute on Aging, NIH; Leo Luberecki (in back), Legislative Officer, LD, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Legislation, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Sid Stahl, Ph.D., Chief, Individual Behavioral Processes Branch, Division Behavioral and Social Research, National Institute on Aging, NIH; Anne Stuart Houser, Senior Program Analyst, NIH; and Tamara Jones (in back), Ph.D., Legislative Officer, National Institute on Aging, NIH.