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HEAL Lab Engages Lawmakers at GSA Capitol Hill Day

Group of researchers standing near the U.S. Capitol during a policy advocacy event.
From research to policy. Dr. Angie LeRoy (far left) and graduate student Sierra Wickline (second from left) join fellow researchers outside the U.S. Capitol.

Members of the HEAL Lab recently traveled to Washington, DC to participate in the Gerontological Society of America (GSA) Capitol Hill Day, an annual event that brings researchers from across the country to the nation’s capital to discuss policies that affect aging research and the health of older adults.

HEAL Lab director Dr. Angie LeRoy attended the event alongside her graduate student, Sierra Wickline, giving Wickline the opportunity to see firsthand how researchers engage with the policymaking process.

Dr. Angie LeRoy and graduate student Sierra Wickline taking a selfie outside the U.S. Capitol.

Dr. LeRoy and Wickline grab a selfie outside the U.S. Capitol at the start of their day, which was spent discussing how policy decisions shape scientific research.

Researcher reviewing advocacy materials while seated on the floor before meetings on Capitol Hill.

Last-minute prep. Researchers review advocacy talking points before heading into meetings with congressional staff.

Moving fast, making it count

The two-day event moves quickly. After arriving in DC on Day 1, participants spend an afternoon in briefings and advocacy training. On Day 2, they head to the Hill for scheduled meetings with congressional offices.

The meeting schedules are packed. Researchers often run between meetings across the Capitol complex while sharing stories about their work and the importance of continued federal investment in aging research.

“I attended Capitol Hill Day with GSA last year, and it truly was a life-changing experience,” Dr. LeRoy said. “It also made me realize how little policy work is woven into our formal training as scientists. I felt a desire to change that, beginning with my own students.”

Dr. Angie LeRoy walking quickly outside the U.S. Capitol while holding lunch and a coffee.

Lunch on the go. Dr. LeRoy grabs a quick bite while hustling to her next meeting with lawmakers.

Group of researchers posing for a selfie near a U.S. Senate Aging Committee sign.

A quick moment between meetings with fellow researchers and advocates working to elevate aging research.

When policy hits close to home

During the meetings, Wickline shared her perspective as a graduate student in the HEAL Lab, where NIH funding supports her work and training as a future scientist. Her experience is a reminder that federal research funding supports not only discovery, but also the students who might not otherwise have the opportunity to pursue careers in science.

“Advocating on Capitol Hill was such an incredible opportunity to make an even greater impact in the field of gerontology. The NIH has indirectly promoted my own American Dream through so many avenues. So, I feel it’s my duty to ensure that future scientists have the same opportunities for growth while working towards better support for those who laid the foundation before us,” Wickline said.

Across the group, participants were there with a primary goal of building support among members of Congress for policies and funding that sustain important research. In addition to asking for that support, attendees also shared expertise that may be needed in future conversations on the Hill. By helping lawmakers better understand the science behind these issues, researchers can open the door to future dialogue about real-world health challenges.

Takeaways from the Hill

  • Timing is key. Congress is currently working to finalize the fiscal year (FY) 2026 appropriations budget, which determines funding across major areas such as Defense and Homeland Security, Labor, Education, and Health and Human Services.
  • Where funding comes from. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Through NIH, federal funding supports research in critical areas such as dementia, cancer, neuroscience, precision medicine, and public health.
  • What we learned. By attending GSA Hill Day, scientists gain a clearer understanding of the challenges lawmakers face and how to advocate for key priorities, with a strong focus on NIH funding.
  • What we shared. At the same time, researchers learn how to communicate their work in ways that resonate, helping policymakers understand how that funding supports not only discovery, but also the development of real-world solutions for families caring for aging loved ones.

“One thing that surprised me about the Hill is how friendly everyone is, even in this bustling atmosphere,” Dr. LeRoy said. “Everyone has a story, and many people, even those working on the Hill, are eager to hear yours.”

While the meetings themselves may be brief, they offer a powerful opportunity for researchers and students to explain the impact of their work and how federal research funding shapes both scientific discovery and the training of future scientists.