U19: causes, consequences, and modifiers of heterogeneity in aging in a naturalistic nonhuman primate model - overall abstract aging is a universal yet heterogeneous process that can vary both…

The National Institute on Aging awarded a $7.287 million cooperative agreement to Arizona State University on September 1, 2026, under the Aging Research program (CFDA 93.866). The award funds a five-year research initiative running through August 31, 2031, examining heterogeneity in aging using a free-ranging rhesus macaque population on Cayo Santiago Island, Puerto Rico—the world's longest-running primate field station. The research program addresses three integrated questions: quantifying how aging varies within and across individuals by mapping physiological, cognitive, sensory, behavioral, and immunological aging domains and testing whether this variation predicts mortality; identifying molecular and environmental factors that cause or modify aging; and determining whether aging can be modified through intervention. The study leverages longitudinal multi-tissue phenotyping data collected across a genetically diverse population with a lifespan 3–4 times faster than humans, offering translational insights into human aging in one of our closest relatives. Work is performed in Tempe, Arizona. Arizona State University's Office of Research and Sponsored Projects Administration (Orspa) serves as the administrative entity managing the award.

U19: causes, consequences, and modifiers of heterogeneity in aging in a naturalistic nonhuman primate model - overall abstract aging is a universal yet heterogeneous process that can vary both within and between individuals. For instance, while some may exhibit signs of cardiovascular disease early in life, others maintain robust heart health into advanced age. Despite mounting evidence for variation in human aging, we still know little about its cross-system patterning, nor its causes or consequences. This GAP in understanding is partly due to the scarcity of multi-tissue, longitudinal data across lifespans; limited experimental evidence on aging determinants; and the challenge of capturing human life-course experiences and environmental complexities in laboratory settings. The free-ranging rhesus macaque population on cayo santiago island offers a unique window into these complexities in a naturalistic setting. The island hosts the world's longest-running primate field station, providing rich longitudinal data on a genetically diverse population that mirrors human aging across various domains-physiological, cognitive, sensory, behavioral, and immunological-in a lifespan that is 3-4X faster than ours. This unique population facilitates a detailed exploration of aging in one of our closest relatives, offering insights with potential translational value to human health. This multi-disciplinary, integrative, U19 research program aims to address the following three questions: 1) how we age differently: here, we will quantify aging heterogeneity within and across individuals by mapping intra- and inter-individual variation in aging across different aging domains and testing if this variation predicts mortality. 2) why we age differently: leveraging the comprehensive phenotyping from aim 1, we will elucidate the molecular and environmental factors that are causes or consequences of aging. 3) can we modify aging: building on our preliminary data and modifiable aging factors, we will test the effectiveness of interventions in modulating age-related changes. Through both in vitro and in vivo experiments, including behavioral and environmental manipulations, we will validate causal relationships affecting aging and identify potential strategies to mitigate age-related decline. By integrating longitudinal, multi-tissue, analyses with molecular and environmental investigations, this U19 research program will deepen our understanding of the complex mechanisms underlying aging. The findings from this U19 hold promise for identifying actionable strategies to promote healthy aging and improve health outcomes across the lifespan.