Students Earn Top Honors at 2026 UT MSTAR Consortium Meeting

As the 2026 Medical Student Training in Aging Research (MSTAR) program approaches its conclusion on September 4, UTMB is celebrating the accomplishments of five outstanding medical students who spent the summer immersed in aging-related research and clinical geriatrics.

This year's cohort included three UTMB medical students and two visiting students from external institutions. Throughout the eight-week summer program, participants worked closely with faculty mentors, gaining hands-on experience in aging research while exploring critical issues affecting older adults.

A highlight of the summer was the annual UT MSTAR Consortium Meeting, held Aug. 22 in San Antonio. Students from participating University of Texas institutions gathered to showcase their work through oral and poster presentations, sharing research findings and engaging with peers and faculty experts from across the state.

UTMB students earned two of the meeting's highest honors:

• Outstanding Poster Presentation: Rida Shehzad
• Outstanding Oral Presentation: Neha Donthineni
  

The awards recognize exceptional research, presentation skills, and contributions to advancing knowledge in aging-related health care and research.

"We are incredibly proud of our students for their dedication, hard work, and scholarly achievements," said program leadership. "Their success reflects the strength of the mentorship and collaborative learning opportunities provided through MSTAR."

About MSTA 

The University of Texas Medical Student Training in Aging Research (UT-MSTAR) program is a collaboration among UT Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSA), UTHealth Houston (UTH), UT Medical Branch at Galveston (UTMB Health), and UT Southwestern (UTSW).

Designed for medical students transitioning between their first and second years of training, the intensive eight-week summer program provides immersive experiences in aging research and clinical geriatrics under the guidance of nationally recognized experts.

The program's long-term goal is to increase the number of clinicians and physician investigators pursuing research in high-priority areas related to aging, ultimately improving health outcomes and quality of life for older adults.

As the 2026 program concludes, UTMB congratulates all participating students on a successful summer and looks forward to seeing the impact they will make in the future of aging research and patient care.