为了预防和修复由于发育障碍，衰老和伤害引起的功能障碍，至关重要的是了解健康发展的基本过程及其在整个生命周期中的变化。因此，这个重点领域是多学科的，从涉及人类发展和衰老的细胞和分子过程，到发育障碍和与年龄有关的状况（例如自闭症谱系障碍，阿尔茨海默氏病）的社会和行为方面疾病和肌萎缩性侧索硬化症。学生将有兴趣了解和解决与发育，伤害和衰老相关的疾病和残疾。他们将对人类发展的关键遗传，细胞，分子，生理，环境和心理方面以及这些过程如何随着年龄的增长而产生深刻的理解，从而最好地解决如何修复它们。学生将学习包括再生医学在
Students entering this focus area will have an interest in promoting a better quality of life through research into the biomedical and behavioral components of development and aging, as well as cutting edge technologies and methodologies for improving health in cases of developmental or age-related disorders and injuries. This focus area will emphasize processes critical to human biology and well-being across the lifespan. Students will develop a strong understanding of critical genetic, cellular, molecular, physiological, environmental and psychological aspects of human development, and how these processes go awry with aging, in order to best address how to repair them. Students will learn about multiple systems and techniques (including regenerative medicine). Faculty from diverse departments will come together to instruct students on the biological, psychological, social, and public policy components of the development and aging populations, as well as state of the art reparative approaches. Graduates will be well prepared to carry out innovative, interdisciplinary research to address critical challenges facing our developing and aging populations.