photos of past MSTAR students, a diverse group of people

Medical Student Training in Aging Research (MSTAR)

Students enrolled in the MSTAR program benefit from an enriching experience in aging-related research and geriatrics with the mentorship of top experts in the field.

Participation in the program has led many physicians-in-training to pursue academic careers in aging, ranging from basic science to clinical and health sciences research. The long-term goal of the program is to increase the number of established physician investigators and clinicians who pursue research in high-priority areas related to aging.

Contact Us

Alexis King, MS
Program Manager
Phone: (409) 772-9683
E-mail: alnking@utmb.edu

Sealy Center on Aging (SCOA)
301 University Blvd.
Galveston, TX 77555-0177

Note: Applications will open mid-January, 2025

Program Information

Requirements

Candidates: 1st-year medical students interested in aging research

Duration: Intensive 8 weeks over Summer break

Stipends: $4,400 total for 8 weeks

Project PI: Erin Hommel, MD

Trainees gain:

  • an individualized research experience under a sponsoring mentor
  • a structured didactic experience that is directly linked to student research projects
  • opportunities to interact with potential role models and peers efforts to build a sense of identity and membership for participants
  • a positive and rewarding experience in aging research
  • a chance to obtain research credits for their participation

Expectations: During the summer experience, trainees are expected to spend the majority of their time at UTMB on their research project, attend weekly meetings, where didactic applications and career issues are discussed, and attend local geriatrics seminars. They also attend kickoff and capstone group sessions.

Faculty Mentors

Mentor Name Area of Interest Funding
Erin Hommel, MD, MSc Geriatric syndromes, health care quality NIA R33
Abbey Berenson, MD, PhD Health of women throughout the life-span NICHD K12
Phillip Cantu, PhD Caregiving in Hispanics with dementia NIA P30, NICHD K12
Brian Downer, PhD Dementia, cognitive aging, post-acute care NIA R01, P30
Steven Fisher, PT, PhD, GCS Physical functioning in older adults NIA R21, R01, P30
James S. Goodwin, MD Comparative effectiveness, functional recovery NIA R01, P30, R56, PCORI
Yong-Fang Kuo, PhD Pharmacoepidemiology, treatment outcomes NIA R01, R61, P30, AHRQ T32, R01, NIDA R01
Alan Landay, PhD Geroscience and HIV NIA R33, NIDDK R01
Elizabeth Lorenzo, RN, PhD Health promotion among ethnic minority women NIA K23
Kyriakos Markides, PhD Hispanic health, aging, and physical function NIA R01, P30
Meredith Masel, PhD Health communication in multi-morbidity PCORI, NIA R01
Neil Mehta, PhD Epidemiology of chronic diseases and survival NIA R01, P30, NIDDK R01
Sadaf Milani, PhD Epidemiology of cognition, pain, and gender NIA K01
Melissa Morrow, PhD Mobility and physical function in aging NICHD R01
Monique Pappadis, PhD MEd Disparities in rehabilitation post-brain injury NIA K01, R61
Michael P. Sheetz, PhD Geroscience and sarcopenia  
Giulio Taglialatela, PhD Molecular mechanisms of neurodegeneration NIA R01
Elizabeth Vaughan, DO, RN Disparities in primary and preventive care NIDDK R01

Last updated: January 2025 RMG