The American Aging Association has named Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation scientist Benjamin Miller, Ph.D., as its new president.
The 54-year-old organization, also known as AGE, consists of scientists and physicians dedicated to research on aging.
Miller is a national and international leader in studies of how to maintain muscle mass and function as we age. He focuses on interventional approaches using exercise and compounds such as the diabetes drug metformin as potential ways to slow the process.
An exercise physiologist by training, Miller joined OMRF from Colorado State University in 2018. At OMRF, he leads the foundation’s Aging & Metabolism Research Program and holds the G.T. Blankenship Endowed Chair in Aging Research.
OMRF scientist Holly Van Remmen, Ph.D., held the same role in AGE two years ago. That leadership progression in a national organization speaks volumes about the research going on in our state, Miller said.
“Oklahoma is firmly on the map for aging research,” he said. “Between our research programs at OMRF, the Nathan Shock Center and the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, we have emerged as a center of excellence. That’s why I came here.”
Van Remmen noted that in addition to Miller’s expertise in the laboratory, he is passionate about mentoring the next generation of scientists.
“That is a focus of the American Aging Association,” she said, “so I’m excited to see how that might translate during his term as president.”
“Internally, we’ve known for quite some time that we have something special going on in the research program led by Dr. Miller,” said OMRF Vice President of Research Courtney Griffin, Ph.D. “His ascension to the presidency of this prestigious group of scientists validates that belief.”
