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About the Sealy Center on Aging

The Sealy Center on Aging (SCOA) is a multidisciplinary center at The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB). Its core mission is to improve the health and well-being of older adults through dedicated efforts in research, education, clinical care, and community engagement. Supported by the Sealy & Smith Foundation, SCOA brings together experts from all five UTMB schools and multiple institutes to drive innovation in aging studies. 

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

  SCOA Directory

Our Legacy

Since its founding in 1995, SCOA has achieved significant milestones:

  • Grown to include over 50 faculty fellows and 50 senior fellows across UTMB.
  • Secured over $30 million annually in aging-related research funding.
  • Hosted the Annual Forum on Aging for more than 25 years.
  • Maintained continuous NIA infrastructure support through the Pepper Center and RCMAR.
  • Supported major longitudinal studies on the health and aging of Hispanic populations, including MHAS and Hispanic-EPESE.

Our Mission

We are committed to:

  • Advancing interdisciplinary research in aging and health.
  • Supporting education and training for the next generation of aging researchers and clinicians.
  • Strengthening connections between research findings and their impact on the community.
  • Promoting opportunities for older adults to participate in research that shapes better care and healthier lives. 

Our Accomplishments

SCOA was established in 1995 under the leadership of Dr. James S. Goodwin, the George and Cynthia Mitchell Distinguished Chair of Geriatric Medicine, with the goal of promoting aging research, improving education, and supporting community outreach. Our impact includes:

Trainees:
Over 200

Faculty Scholars:
Over 60

Federal Funding:
+$25M

Our History

SCOA has a rich history of growth and recognition:

2000:
UTMB Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center, housed within SCOA, receives funding.
2001:
A comprehensive internal review identifies SCOA as one of the top aging research programs in the country.
2005:
The Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization designates UTMB as a Collaborating Center on Aging and Health. This designation is renewed in 2009, 2013, 2018, and 2022.
2014:
Dr. Elena Volpi becomes Director, serving until 2023.
2022:
The Center’s external funding for aging research grows to almost $30 million.
2023:
Dr. Rebeca Wong becomes Director ad interim.
2024:
Dr. Alan Landay becomes Director ad interim.
2025:
Dr. Missy Morrow becomes Director. The Texas Age-Tech initiative is launched, and The Pepper Center is refunded once more, extending through 2030.

Leadership and Support

SCOA is led by Dr. Melissa (Missy) Morrow, a rehabilitation scientist and expert in aging and disability research. Dr. Morrow brings extensive experience in translational science, biomechanics, and health technology. As Director of SCOA, she also serves as Co-Director of the NIA-funded Pepper Center at UTMB and leads SCOA’s involvement in the $5 million Healthy Aging & Technology (Age-Tech) Initiative at UTMB Health, established in 2025.

The Center’s founding director, James Goodwin, MD, continues to contribute as Senior Associate Director of the Sealy Center on Aging and Co-Director of the Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center, in addition to his role as Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Geriatrics.

The Center's operations are further supported by a dedicated team including a program manager, biostatistician, science writer/editor, web communications and operations manager, communications and community initiatives manager, business coordinator, research technician, and a knowledgeable team of clinical research coordinators.

Research Programs

SCOA staff and resources directly support faculty focused on aging research, including Principal Investigators for over $25 million in federal funding across a variety of grant mechanisms (e.g., 2 P30s, 18 Rs, 1 T32, and 5 Ks).

Infrastructure Grants

SCOA houses two significant research infrastructure grants funded by the National Institute on Aging:

  • The Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center (OAIC) (Award #P30-AG024832)
  • The Texas Resource Center on Minority Aging Research (RCMAR) (Award # P30-AG059301)

The Center has expanded its collaborative opportunities in research and education programs in areas such as aging & technology, geroscience & immunology, clinical trials, and women’s health.

Pilot Awards & External Funding Success

In FY25, SCOA awarded 8 pilot projects with co-funding from the Moody Brain Health Institute (BHI) and the Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Women’s Health (CIRWH). A remarkable 55% of the pilot projects awarded since 2020 have resulted in external funding, including 5 R01s and 2 K01s.

Annual Events & Educational Series

SCOA hosts several key events:

  • The Annual Forum on Aging has been held for more than 25 years. The 2024 event showcased over 100 poster submissions by students and fellows.
  • The annual Lefeber Hughes Winter Series on Aging, an educational series of evening lectures open to the community, which will reach its 31st anniversary in early 2026.

Associated Research Programs

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