Welcome to the Aging/Gerontology RIIG

The Aging/Gerontology Research Interest and Implementation Group (RIIG) is committed to facilitating the advancement of research for the care of older individuals. We recognize the importance of the nurse scientist’s role in providing older adults with high quality care through knowledge gained by research. More and more people are living longer, resulting in an unprecedented increase in the population of older adults in the United States and throughout the industrialized world. As the numbers of aged increase, so does the need for new and innovative approaches to guide and promote the care of healthy, chronically ill, and frail older people. We provide a forum for nurses and other healthcare providers interested in networking in the Southern Region of the U.S. to meet and connect, share information, promote best practices, identify nursing leadership, and link these together to build capacity for advancing the care of older adults.

The current chair is Ayse Malatyali, PhD, MBA, RN.

Ayse Malatyali, PhD, MBA, RN
Assistant Professor
University of Central Florida, College of Nursing

RIIG Awards and Eligibility Criteria

The overall purposes of the Aging/Gerontology Research Interest and Implementation Group (RIIG) awards are to recognize excellence in gerontological nursing research and to provide recognition for the work performed by our RIIG members. At the request of our RIIG members, we have added two awards this year. We encourage those that meet the criteria (following) to apply. The deadline for applications is December 14, 2022. Please submit your CV and nomination letter in one pdf document to Ayse Malatyali at ayse.malatyali@ucf.edu.

Criteria for Evaluating Applications:

  • Progression in their program (publications, presentations, completed pilot work, success in receiving funding).
  • The theoretical underpinnings and methodology used to examine the problem addressed in this study, including: Innovativeness of the methodology or theoretical approach.
  • Potential for establishing a program of research in gerontological science.
  • The potential impact of the program of research for understanding a clinical problem.

I. Rising Investigator Award

Purpose: The purpose of this award is to recognize the contribution of a rising investigator who has conducted gerontological nursing research that has the potential to enhance the science and practice of gerontological nursing. Read more…

II. Distinguished Dissertation Award

Purpose: The purpose of this award is to recognize the contribution of a rising student-investigator who is conducting a dissertation in the area of gerontological nursing research that has the potential to enhance the science and practice of gerontological nursing. Read more…

III. Excellence in Geriatric Nursing Research Mid-Career Award

Purpose: The purpose of this award is to recognize the contribution of a mid-career investigator who has conducted gerontological nursing research that enhances the science and practice of gerontological nursing. Read more…


We offer networking opportunities, peer support, and inspiration to others interested in this area of work and research. We encourage all members to participate. We welcome all interested parties in our area of work–researchers, clinicians, academicians, and students to our RIIG. Be sure to “sign-up” by logging in to the Members-Only section and choose which RIIG(s) to join. There is no fee to participate and you can join up to three RIIGs as part of your membership benefits. Just “click” on the topic!


GRANTS/TRAINING/AWARDS INFORMATION