Medical Student Training in Aging Research (MSTAR) Program

The MSTAR program consists of both real-time and follow-up evaluation processes designed to continuously improve the program and to assess its effectiveness in achieving its long term goals. The long term goal of the program is to increase the number of established physician investigators and clinicians who pursue research in high priority areas related to aging.

Sponsors funding this project are the National Institute of Aging (NIA) and the American Federation for Aging Research. This project is in collaboration with the UTMB Sealy Center on Aging and the UT Health Science Center at San Antonio.

Medical Student Training in Aging Research (MSTAR) Program
Student Presentations at UTSA, June 22, 2017

2017 MSTAR students give presentations at UTSATwo students participated in the Medical Student Training in Aging Research (MSTAR) Program at UTMB SCoA this summer. They gave presentations at the UT Health Science Center at San Antonio on June 22, 2017.

Edgar Esparza (mentored by Hemalkumar Mehta, PhD), pictured on the bottom left, presented, "Antidiabetic Prescription Drug Trends in the United States from 2007 to 2014."

Usama Jazzar (mentored by Stephen B. Williams, MD), pictured on the bottom right, presented, "Population-Based Assessment of the Impact of Psychiatric Illness and Survival Outcomes Following Treatment for Patients with Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer."

 

Requirements

Candidates:
1st year medical students interested in aging research

Duration:
Intensive 8-12 weeks; during summer break

Stipends:
$1980 per month up to 2 months

Project PI:
Elena Volpi, MD, PhD, Sealy Center on Aging Director

Trainees gain:

  • an individualized research experience under a sponsoring mentor
  • a structured didactic experience that is directly linked to student research projects
  • opportunities to interact with potential role models and peers efforts to build a sense of identity and membership for participants
  • a positive and rewarding experiences in aging research
  • a chance to obtain research credits for their participation

Expectations

During the summer experience, trainees are expected to spend the majority of their time at UTMB on their research project, to attend weekly meetings, where didactic applications and career issues are discussed and to attend local geriatrics seminars. They also attend kickoff and capstone group sessions.

Site managed by UTMB Sealy Center on Aging • Data Updated: June 2017