Professor joins top US ageing charity

Professor Richard Faragher, Professor of Biogerontology, has been elected to the board of directors of the American Federation for Aging Research (AFAR).

AFAR is a national non-profit organization whose mission is to support and advance healthy ageing through biomedical research. Founded in 1981, AFAR has championed the cause and supported the funding of science in healthier ageing and age-related medicine.

Professor Faragher, past chair of the British Society for Research on Ageing, said: “This is a great honour for me and one that I believe recognises the hard work my colleagues are committing to improving health in older age.”

Professor Faragher is a leading campaigner for more government funding for research: “As the global population ages, it is imperative that we invest in the science of ageing because this research will allow millions to grow old in good health.

“Who wants to live to 120 if they're bedridden? After decades of research our knowledge has reached the point where a pipeline of interventions is waiting to be translated into better treatments for many age-associated ailments. We are living in a time when relatively small amounts of philanthropic funding, judiciously deployed as AFAR does, can yield huge returns.”

Professor Faragher’s new role follows AFAR, the BSRA and the Glenn Foundation for Medical Research co-hosting an event at the House of Lords. This engaged politicians, scientists’ donors and celebrities and premiered “ Live Longer, Live Well” a video, designed by Professor Faragher and acclaimed data journalist David McCandless.

They met politicians and philanthropists in the Lords to seek support for research into new drug and therapies to treat and better manage disabilities and ailments that afflict the elderly including dementia.

Professor Faragher will be speaking publicly on the prospects for improving later life on 18 February at University Campus Suffolk and at the Royal Society in London on 7 June. Both events are taking place in collaboration with the University of the Third Age (U3A).