MCUAAAR is a collaborative research and administrative effort based at the University of Michigan and Wayne State University. Co-directors are Peter Lichtenberg at Wayne State and James S. Jackson at the U-M Institute for Social Research (ISR).

The 2009 pilot scholars are Derek Griffith, assistant professor at the U-M School of Public Health; Ronica Rooks, an assistant professor at the University of Colorado, Denver; and Florence Dallo, an assistant professor at Oakland University.

Griffith will study factors associated with diet and physical activity among older, urban African American men. Rooks will investigate racial disparities in employment and chronic conditions among older, well-functioning Black and white adults. And Dallo will examine disability and nativity status among Arab, Hispanic, and Asian Americans.

"Our goal is to promote high quality, scholarly research and community-based interventions focused on health and health promotion among older racial and ethnic minority populations," says Jackson.

"Our pilot scholars are selected through a competitive award process," notes Lichtenberg. "Each pilot investigator receives mentoring to advance their research and facilitate publication of their results."

For more information, visit the Center website at http://mcuaaar.iog.wayne.edu. Additional information is available at http:/www.rcgd.isr.umich.edu/prba/overview.htm