Old Red, Ashbel Smith Building at UTMB

The Sealy Center on Aging at UTMB Health: Leading Aging Research Since 1995

The Sealy Center on Aging focuses on improving the health and well-being of older adults through interdisciplinary research, education, and community service by integrating the resources and activities relevant to aging at UTMB. The Center also implements our research findings in hospitals and clinics, bringing excellence and visibility to our health care system, and improving the health of older adults.

Associated Research Programs

Contact Us

Sealy Center on Aging (SCOA)
301 University Blvd.
Galveston, TX 77555-0177
Directions and Maps
Phone: (409) 747-0008
Email: aging.research@utmb.edu

News from the Sealy Center on Aging


  • Dr. Raji with medical staff and postdoc Dr. Copete

    Dr. Ana Ayala-Copete Completes WHO/PAHO Fellowship at Sealy Center on Aging

    July 2, 2025, 11:55 AM by SCOA

    The Sealy Center on Aging at UTMB Health recently hosted Dr. Ana Ayala-Copete as part of its collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). From February through June 2025, Dr. Ayala-Copete participated in a fellowship that advanced her research on aging and supported international efforts to improve the health of older populations.

  • Sealy Center on Aging Welcomes New Director, Dr. Melissa Morrow

    July 1, 2025, 10:50 AM by SCOA

    UTMB Health is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Melissa (Missy) Morrow as Director of the Sealy Center on Aging. A renowned rehabilitation scientist and expert in aging and disability research, Dr. Morrow brings deep experience in translational science, biomechanics, and health technology. She currently serves as Co-Director of the NIA-funded Pepper Center at UTMB and will lead the center’s involvement in the new $5 million Healthy Aging and Technology (Age-Tech) Initiative. We thank Dr. Alan Landay for his exceptional service as interim director and look forward to the center’s continued growth under Dr. Morrow’s leadership.

  • group of three older adults, outdoors

    Reimagining Healthy Aging: What Matters to You?

    June 30, 2025, 14:50 PM by SCOA

    At The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB Health), we’re exploring what it really means to age well, from your perspective. We're looking for people ages 20 and up to take part in a new research study focused on how people of all ages think about health, aging, and the future of care. You’ll have the chance to share your personal experiences, ideas, and hopes in a one-on-one interview or small group conversation, with no medical tests or treatments involved.

  • Lawmakers made wise health care investments during recent session

    June 23, 2025, 15:49 PM by SCOA

    In a guest column for the Daily News, Dr. Jochen Reiser, president of UTMB and CEO of the UTMB Health System, wrote about the recently ended 89th Legislative Session in Austin and some of UTMB’s legislative wins. “At the University of Texas Medical Branch, we are thankful for these investments, both for the legislature’s vote of confidence for our Healthy Aging and Technology Initiative within our institution, and the broader establishment of the research institute, to fund competitive and thoughtful grants, for the betterment of all Texans,” Reiser writes.

  • photo of woman

    Pepper Investigators Lecture Features Dr. Milani

    June 20, 2025, 14:05 PM by SCOA

    Please join us for the next Pepper Investigators Lecture: "Pain and cognition among older adults across contexts," presented by Sadaf Milani, PhD, MPH, Assistant Professor, Department of Epidemiology, School of Public and Population Health on June 25, 2025 at noon in RSH 6.100 and via Teams. Lunch provided for those in person.


Areas of Research

SCOA brings together faculty from all UTMB Schools with expertise in research, education and clinical care related to aging. It provides the infrastructure and resources to ignite new collaborative translational research foci and support externally funded research on aging. It also supports educational programs on aging and geriatrics and outreach in the community. SCOA directly assists Core Investigators by providing support that includes: office space, editorial services, pilot funds, research infrastructure, and administration. 

Aging in hispanic populations, effectiveness of medical treatments, implementation of new treatments, recovery from illness

Associated Programs

Social Media


BlueSky

Hello world! We are excited to connect with you here about aging research from UTMB Health, including funding, new grants, researcher highlights, important findings, and more. Students, trainees, and early career researchers are invited to follow us for announcements and opportunities 🤜🤛

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— Sealy Center on Aging (@utmbscoa.bsky.social) Jan 31, 2025 at 10:29 AM