Data Collection,

Harmonization & Integration

This core organizes all activities related to development of novel data and data collection resources. It serves as a hub for trainees and junior investigators to gain experience in primary sensory data collection —including protocol development— and data discoverability and harmonization.

Co-Chairs

Nicholas S. Reed, PhD, AuD

Alden L. Gross, PhD, MHS

  • Co-Chair

    Dr. Gross works with many large population-based studies on aging, including National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS) and Longitudinal Aging Study in India and it’s sub-study, Diagnostic Assessment of Dementia (LASI & LASI-DAD). He contributes expertise on measurement harmonization and psychometrics.

  • Co-Chair

    Co-Chair Reed has developed, piloted, and implemented primary sensory data collection protocols in many large studies globally, including Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC), Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA), and Longitudinal Aging Study in India—Diagnostic Assessment of Dementia (LASI-DAD).

Research

Development & Mentorship

This core oversees research and mentorship activities, including the consensus-building conference setting research priorities and pilot funding to address those priorities.

Co-Chairs

Varshini Varadaraj, MD, MPH

Jayant M. Pinto, MD

  • Co-Chair

    Dr. Pinto is a founding member of the SENSE Network. He brings extensive expertise in the biological and behavioral consequences of olfactory and multisensory loss in older adults and a strong track record of mentoring junior investigators.

  • Co-Chair

    Dr. Varadaraj is an ophthalmologist and junior faculty at the JHU Disability Health Research Center. Her research focuses on examining disparities in health and health care access for people with disabilities, broadly concentrating on aging with vision loss and access to care.

Dissemination

&Translation

Oversees all activities to expand the reach of the Network and ensure sustainability, including the Network’s website and social media presence, curriculum design for a novel open-access online course, organization of an inaugural scientific conference on the topic of sensory health and ADRD, and procurement of grant funding to continue the Network after the award period.

Co-Chairs

Lindsey B. De Lott, MD

Frank R. Lin, MD, PhD

  • Co-Chair

    Dr. Lin has translated his clinical experiences caring for patients with hearing loss into foundational public health research and federal US policy. He has vast experience in curriculum and program development, conference organization and grant writing.

  • Co-Chair

    Dr. De Lott is an NIH-funded clinician scientist with expertise in vision impairment with brain health.