Core Structure

The UTMB OAIC is organized into the following cores:

Leadership/Administrative Core

Elena Volpi M.D. Ph.D.Elena Volpi, M.D., Ph.D.
  • Core- Leader
  • Professor, Department of Internal Medicine
James S. Goodwin, M.D.James S. Goodwin, M.D.
  • Co-Leader
  • Director, Sealy Center on Aging Professor, Department of Internal Medicine
Tony DiNuzzon Ph.D.Tony DiNuzzo, Ph.D.
  • Associate Director
  • Assistant Professor, Deparment of Internal Medicine
Jean Freeman Ph.D.Jean Freeman Ph.D.
  • Tracking and Evaluation Leader
  • Professor
  • Provides leadership, direction, and coordination for all core facilities and other aging initiatives at UTMB.
  • Recruits new and established investigators interested in aging research.
  • Represents UTMB at national events and collaborates with other Pepper Centers

Research Career and Development Core

Kenneth J. Ottenbacher, Ph.D. Kenneth J. Ottenbacher, IT Ph.D.
  • Core Leader
  • Professor, Division of Rehabilitation Sciences
Kyriakos Markides Ph.D.Kyriokos Markides Ph.D.
  • Co-Leader
  • Professor, Department of Preventive Medicine and Community Health
  • Promotes development of the next generation of aging research leaders through direct financial support and structured mentoring.
  • Participates in interdisciplinary conferences, other didactic training, networking activities, and access to infrastructure support.

Pilot/Exploratory Studies Core

Blake Rasmussen, Ph.D.Blake Rasmussen, Ph.D.
  • Core Leader
  • Professor, Department of Physical Therapy
Melinda Sheffield-Moore, Ph.D.Melinda Sheffield-Moore, Ph.D.
  • Core Co-Leader
  • Professor, Department of Internal Medicine
James S. Goodwin, M.D.
  • Co-Leader
  • Director, Sealy Center on Aging
  • Professor, Department of Internal Medicine
  • Facilitate innovative and methodologically rigorous research that enhances the understanding of the etiology and mechanisms of sarcopenia in aging.
  • Incorporate new technologies into aging research, stimulate translational research.

Clinical Research Resource Core

Glen Ostir, Ph.D. Glenn Ostir, Ph.D.
  • Core Leader
  • Professor, Division of Internal Medicine
Elizabeth Protas PT, Ph.D.Elizabeth Protas PT, Ph.D.
  • Core Co-Leader
  • Dean, School of Health Proffessions
  • Provide expertise and resources to recruit subjects to complete studies that are proposed by OAIC investigators
  • Coordinate and conduct health screenings, physical exams, functional status assessments, and performance-based (e.g., muscle strength) testing required to achieve the goals of the OAIC.

Muscle Biology Resource Core

Elena Volpi, M.D., Ph.D.
  • Core Leader
  • Professor, Department of Internal Medicine
John Papaconstantinou, Ph.D.John Papaconstantinou, Ph.D.
  • Co Leader
  • Professor, Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
  • Provide state-of-the-art experimental resources.
  • To make mass spectrometry analysis available for all Pepper OAIC projects.
  • Assists investigators in all aspects of tracer methodology necessary to study metabolism in elderly individuals.
  • Participate in the development of new procedures that will facilitate understanding of the molecular, genetic and biochemical mechanisms of sarcopenia associated with aging.