SFCC is the lead facility for a major National Institute on Aging sponsored effort
via the Longevity Consortium, designed to identify genes controlling longevity and
aging. Dr. Cummings and colleagues have developed a network of studies on the
genomes of centenarians, to increase understanding of the genetic pathways that control
age-related illnesses. Dr. Cummings leads the Osteoporotic Fractures in Men
(MrOS) project—a prospective cohort study designed to examine the extent to
which fracture risk is related to bone mass, bone geometry, lifestyle, neuromuscular
measures, and fall propensity; and to determine how fractures affect quality of life
in older men.
He is a principal investigator of the Health, Aging, and Body Composition
(Health ABC) study—an observational study of the onset of physical disability
in relation to body composition change, particularly loss of muscle mass (or, sarcopenia)
in old age. In collaboration with SFCC scientist Dr. Katie Stone, Dr. Cummings is
exploring the relationship between sleep disorders and/or quality of sleep, and the
risk of cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, falls, and decline in cognitive function.
With support from the Daniel and Phyllis Da Costa Fund, Dr. Cummings partners with
researchers at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London. Together, they are investigating
strategies to prevent breast cancer, and developing new means to identify women at
high risk of the illness.
Dr. Cummings has over 25 years’ experience leading
multicenter observational studies and clinical trials, and he is pursuing new initiatives
designed to increase the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of clinical trials.
California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute
185 Berry St. Lobby 5, Suite 5700
San Francisco, CA, 94107
(415) 600-7432
cumminsr@cpmcri.org