​​The goal of The Center for Multidisciplinary Research in Aging (CMRA) is to promote the multifaceted qua​lity of life in late life. Many of our studies focus on promoting understanding of quality of life and of the so-called 'sub​​jective​ well-being' phenomenon and its determinants. In addition, an essential part of our work is the development of new appropriate research tools, which contribute to increase our understanding and enhance knowledge in a variety of disciplines including, but not limited to, gerontology, geriatrics, physiology, biology, medicine, sociology of health, psychology, and interdisciplinary research between these fields.

Older adults in Israel are a unique heterogeneous population comprised of Jewish immigrants from more than a hundred countries including about 200,000 Holocaust survivors, Arabs, and Israeli born citizens. Since culture plays a significant role in perceptions of health, function, health-related behaviors and subjective well-being, studies conducted on the various culturally different population groups are of utmost importance for enhancing​ evidence-based implementation of appropriate intervention programs. One of the ways to achieve this goal and improve quality of life in elderly persons is to conduct interdisciplinary research and then introduce beneficial research findings and new policies and practices by providing evidence-based information to Israel's Ministries and other Israeli authorities, policymakers, service providers (public and private), the professional community, and the public.             ​
The Center was established in the year 2000 with the goal of fostering a synergistic environment for multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research and education in Geriatrics and Gerontology.  The​​​​ Center’s location within Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU), and its affiliation with the nearby S​​​oroka Medical Center, ensures access to a rich variety of departments and other resources relevant to research in aging. 

The CMRA also houses IL​​C-Israel, a member of the International Longevity Center Global Alliance ​(ILC-​​GA). The CMRA has been awarded membership to the Global Ageing Research Network​ (GARN) of International Association of Gerontology & Geriatrics and has been designated one of the network’s Collaborating Centers.​

Head of the CMRA: Prof. Itzik Melzer

Head of ILC Israel: Prof. Mark Clarfield

Previous head of the CMRA and ILC Israel: Prof.​Sara Carmel​ (head of the CMRA 2004 to 2021)

First head of the CMRA: Prof. Amiela Globerson