trainees attending events

Pre and Postdoctoral TrainingT32 Health of Older Minorities

This program, funded by the National Institute on Aging (AG T3200270), offers specialized training for predoctoral and postdoctoral researchers focusing on the health of older minority populations, particularly older Hispanics.

Training Program Co-Directors: Brian Downer, PhD and Neil Mehta, PhD, MSc, MA

T32 Program Trainees collaborate with Center faculty who collectively manage over $30 million in annual external research funds dedicated to minority health and aging.

Research areas include health disparities, aging trajectories, medical outcomes, health service utilization, social epidemiology, rehabilitation, psychosocial stress, and health promotion. Expert mentoring teams guide trainees toward becoming independent researchers, with contributions from sociologists, economists, demographers, physicians, epidemiologists, and statisticians.

Trainees also gain opportunities to present their research at events like the Sealy Center on Aging's Annual Forum on Aging and the Clinical & Translational Research Forum, and receive additional funding for travel and training, alongside full health care benefits and the NIH stipend.

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

Applications

Include the following:

  • Curriculum Vitae
  • Letter stating research interests and relevant prior training

Application Currently Closed

Download 2024 T32 Flyer

Program Information

Associated Research Programs

Requirements

Candidates

This opportunity is open to predoctoral and postdoctoral students interested in aging research. Candidates from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply. All applications will be reviewed by the Training Grant Selection Committee and applicants may be invited to interview.

Trainee Benefits

Additional funds to cover tuition and fees for relevant courses and other training-related expenses Full health care benefits Predoctoral fellows - Earn a PhD degree in Population Health Sciences or Clinical Science (Health Services Research) in the Department of Preventive Medicine and Community Health or other doctoral programs at UTMB.

Mentors

Mentor NameArea of Interest
Soham Al Snih, MD, PhDAging in Hispanics, frailty, health outcomes, health disparities, and obesity
Abbey Berenson, MD, PhDHealth of women throughout the life-span
Brian Downer, PhDDementia, cognitive aging, post-acute care
James S. Goodwin, MDComparative effectiveness, functional recovery
Daniel Jupiter, PhDLower extremity complications of Diabetes
Yong-Fang Kuo, PhDHealth outcomes, large datasets
Chih-Ying (Cynthia) Li, PhD, OTRHealth services research
Elizabeth Lyons, PhD, MPHPhysical activity interventions, cancer survivorship, technology, video games, mobile devices
Kyriakos Markides, PhDHispanic health, aging, and physical function
Neil Mehta, PhDEpidemiology of chronic diseases and survival
Sadaf Milani, PhDEpidemiology of cognition, pain, and gender
Monique Pappadis, PhD, MEdDisparities in rehabilitation post-brain injury
John Prochaska, DrPHHealth outcomes and disparities
Elise Smith, PhDResearch ethics, research integrity, and public health ethics
Heidi Spratt, PhDBioinformatics, biomarker discovery, and machine learning
Susan Weller, PhDMinority health, measurement of cultural beliefs, and chronic disease
Xiaoying Yu, PhDApplied statistics, HIV research

Trainees

Current Predoctoral

  • Anita Brandt
  • Alexandra (Alex) Holland (2023 – present)
  • Maryam Hussain (2023 – present)
  • Alexander (Alex) Rader (2023 – present)

Past Predoctoral

  • Mariela Gutierrez (2020 - 2023)
  • Roberto Rodriguez (2019 - 2023)
  • Monica Hernandez (2018 - 2023)
  • Paige Birkelbach (2017 - 2020)
  • Camille Brightwell (2017- 2019)
  • Catherine Hay (2017 - 2018)
  • Robert Buschmann (2015 - 2017)
  • Figaro Loresto (2014 - 2017)
  • Benjamin Vickers (2014 - 2017)
  • Joseph Saenz (2011 - 2016)
  • Lawrence Panas (2011 - 2013)
  • Thuy Quynh Do (2010 - 2012)
  • Kristen Sheffield (2008 - 2010)
  • Bret Howrey (2005 - 2008)
  • Julie Kutac (2007 - 2009)
  • Jackie Hirth (2006 - 2008)
  • Meredith Masel (2005 - 2007)
  • Ina Bawaya (2004 - 2006)

 

Current Postdoctoral

  • Joey Saavedra

Past Postdoctoral

  • Phillip Cantu (2020 - 2022)
    Mentor: Dr. Markides
    Current Position: Assistant Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch
  • Sadaf Milani (2018 - 2020) 
    Mentor: Dr. Wong
    Current Position: Assistant Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch
  • Marc Garcia (2016 - 2018) 
    Mentor: Dr. Wong
    Current Position: Assistant Professor Department of Sociology University of Nebraska
  • Brian Downer (2014 - 2016) 
    Mentor: Dr. Wong
    Current Position:  Assistant Professor Division of Rehabilitation Sciences University of Texas Medical Branch
  • Preeti Zanwar (2012 - 2014)
    Mentor: Dr. Goodwin
    Current Position: Professor Department of Mathematical Science University of Houston-Clear Lake
  • Sunshine Rote (2012 - 2014)
    Mentor: Dr. Markides
    Current Position: Assistant Professor Kent School of Social Work University of Louisville
  • Maria Monserud (2010 - 2012) 
    Mentor: Dr. Wong
    Current Position: Assistant Professor Department of Sociology, University of Texas at Houston
  • Bret Howrey (2010 - 2011)
    Mentor: Dr. Goodwin
    Current Position: Assistant Professor Department of Family Medicine University of Texas Medical Branch
  • Holley Beard (2008 - 2010) 
    Mentor: Dr. Wong
    Current Position: Head Office of Affordable Housing Research Ohio State Housing Finance Agency
  • Kristen Gerst (2008 - 2010) 
    Mentor: Dr. Wong
    Current Position: Assistant Professor Institute of Gerontology University of Georgia Frank Lemus 2008 - 2010 Dr. Freeman External Affairs Covered California Healthcare Exchange Sacramento, California
  • Jennifer Tovar (2006 - 2008) 
    Mentor: Dr. Markides
    Current Position: Assistant Professor University of Texas School of Public Health
  • Ivonne Berges (2005 - 2007)
    Mentor: Dr. Peek
    Current Position: Office of Academic Affairs, College of Public Health, University of Georgia
  • Patricia Harrington (2006 - 2007) 
    Mentor: Dr. Freeman
    Current Position: Acting Director of Health Technology Assessment Health Information & Quality Authority Dublin, Ireland
  • Vinod Kaushik (2005 - 2006) 
    Mentor: Dr. Al Snih
    Current Position: Assistant Professor Dept. of Internal Medicine-Geriatrics University of Texas Medical Branch
  • James Stimpson (2004 - 2006) 
    Mentor: Dr. Eschbach
    Current Position: Associate Professor Department of Surgery University of Texas Medical Branch

Last updated: September 2025 RMG