About the Pepper Center at UTMB WelcomeThe Pepper Center at UTMB: Continuously Funded Since 2000 Quick LinksPartner Research Programs Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center (Pepper OAIC)Center for Health-System Improvement (CHI)Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Women's Health (CIRWH)Data Management and Analysis Core (DMAC) for Comparative Effectiveness Research on Cancer in Texas (CERCIT)Health of Older Minorities Pre and Postdoctoral Training (T32)Hispanic Established Population for the Epidemiological Study of the Elderly (Hispanic EPESE)Medical Student in Aging Research Program (MSTAR)Pan American Health Organization / World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO)Texas Resource Center on Minority Aging Research (RCMAR) Share this website: The UTMB Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center (OAIC) is the home of a diverse multidisciplinary team of investigators with complementary research interests. The Center supports investigators, research, and expertise in gerontology to accomplish the OAIC mission: To Improve Physical Function and Independence in Older Adults. Current Events Read our Newsletter Volunteer for Research on Aging Diabetes Prevention Program Caregiver Support Group Forum on Aging: OCT 17 Walk to END Alzheimer's: OCT 19 Researchers: Share Your Science Productivity MetricsPublications (2000-2022): over 740Scholars Trained (2000-2022): 33External projects currently supported: 33 Contact UsUniversity of Texas Medical BranchSealy Center on Aging (SCoA)301 University Blvd.Galveston, TX 77555-0177Directions and MapsPhone: (409) 747-0008Email: aging.research@utmb.edu Featured News SCOA Welcomes Emmy Vazquez September 17, 2024, 11:38 AM by SCOA SCOA welcomes Emmy as a new Clinical Coordinator working with Dr. Meredith Masel. Previously she worked at UTMB in 2018 as a scribe, then as a Research Coordinator with Baylor College of Medicine and Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Hospital. She received her Associate's degree at Galveston College and a BS in Biology at UHCL. Welcome, Emmy! Full story SCOA Welcomes Joey Saavedra September 17, 2024, 11:32 AM by SCOA SCOA welcomes Joey as a new T32 Postdoctoral Scholar working with Dr. Brian Downer. His research focuses on the health of older adults, with a specific emphasis on Hispanic aging. He also collaborates with Dr. Elizabeth Lyons on mobile health (m-Health) interventions aimed at increasing physical activity in aging populations, guided by behavioral change theory. Welcome, Joey! Full story New Community Connection Newsletter - September 2024, Issue 9 September 12, 2024, 10:30 AM by SCOA Read the latest issue of the Sealy Center on Aging Community Connection Newsletter, including a highlight featuring Drs Sallam and Serag, research news, information about participating in aging research, current community events, and more. Full story New Study Highlights Cognitive Benefits of Dual-Language Use Among Older Mexican Americans September 10, 2024, 10:42 AM by SCOA “These findings suggest that bilingualism, especially the balanced use of two languages, provides a cognitive advantage in older age,” said Dr. Brian Downer, the lead author of the study and Associate Professor at the Department of Population Health & Health Disparities at UTMB. Full story Workshop Sept 25: Research Ethics - How to Submit to the IRB September 9, 2024, 09:07 AM by SCOA Join us for a workshop,"Research Ethics - How to Submit to the IRB" presented by Elise Smith, PhD Assistant Professor in Bioethics & Health Humanities, on September 25th at noon in HEC 3.200. Full story More News Leadership Directory James S. Goodwin, MD Co-Director, Claude Pepper Older American Independence CenterCo-Leader, Leadership and Administrative Core; Co-Leader, Research Education ComponentGeorge and Cynthia Mitchell Distinguished Chair of Geriatric Medicine; Senior Associate Director, Sealy Center on Aging Melissa Morrow, PhD Co-Director, Claude Pepper Older American Independence CenterCo-Leader, Leadership and Administrative Core; Co-Leader, Research Education ComponentAssociate Director, Center for Health Promotion, Performance, and Rehabilitation Research (CHPPRR); A. Russell Shearn Moody Distinguished Chair in Neurological Rehabilitation; Professor, Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences Additional Leadership and Pepper Center Personnel Social Media Twitter Tweets by UTMB_SCOA Follow @UTMB_SCoA Facebook UTMB Sealy Center on Aging