Our collaborating center fosters research to improve the health of older populations by training scholars with a cross-cultural, multidisciplinary perspective and by establishing collaborations with institutions in Latin America and the Caribbean.
UTMB Sealy Center on Aging World Health Organization Collaborating Centre in Aging and Health
301 University Blvd.
Galveston, TX 77555-0177
Directions and Maps
Phone: (409) 747-0008
Email: pahowho.aging@utmb.edu
As a designated World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Center, we support the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) through the implementation of research and clinical training in public health, geriatrics, and gerontology, following the organization’s guidelines and responding to its needs. Our experts provide technical guidance to PAHO/WHO Member States using population data, best-practice tools, and research collaborations. As one of the few centers focused on aging and geriatrics in the Region of the Americas, we stand out for our emphasis on Latin American and population-based research. With our center's recent redesignation, we continue contributing to the global efforts under the United Nations Decade of Healthy Aging (2021-2030) strategy.
The Sealy Center on Aging (SCOA) proudly announces that its director, Dr. Melissa “Missy” Morrow, has been named a Fellow of the American Society of Biomechanics (ASB), the premier professional organization for biomechanics researchers and practitioners across disciplines. This distinction recognizes Dr. Morrow’s significant contributions to the field and her leadership in advancing translational science at the intersection of biomechanics, aging, and health technology.
Researchers and collaborators recently gathered for a dynamic Ideation Jam designed to explore how emerging technologies can advance aging research. Organized by Elizabeth Lyons, PhD; Meredith Masel, PhD, MSW; and Missy Morrow, PhD, with support from the Texas Age-Tech Initiative, Sealy Center on Aging, and UTMB Pepper Center, the two-hour interactive session brought together participants from diverse backgrounds to generate ideas, identify synergies, and uncover opportunities for collaboration.
A new study from the UTMB Pepper Center looked at the role sleep plays in how well older adults recover after a hospital stay. The results showed that people who had worse sleep or felt more tired during the day tended to have poorer balance, weaker strength, and lower overall physical function after going home. Those with improved sleep were more likely to show better physical recovery.
Join us for a hybrid UTMB Pepper Center Investigators Lecture on May 26, 2026, at noon. Shalender Bhasin, MB, BS, Harvard Medical School, will present, "Targeting Skeletal Muscle to Improve the Health and Wellbeing of Older Adults".
Members of The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) Pepper Center recently contributed to the Pepper Center Annual Meeting, engaging in collaborative discussions and showcasing innovative research in aging and health. UTMB was well represented at the meeting, with faculty across career stages contributing to the exchange of ideas and advancing the center’s mission to improve the health and well-being of older adults through research, education, and innovation.
UTMB will host “Partners in Care: Promoting Health and Wellbeing in Our Community” on June 17, 2026, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Levin Hall Dining Room in Galveston. The event brings together researchers, healthcare professionals, and community partners to explore collaborative approaches to improving health outcomes.
The Community Connection newsletter, Issue 15 is live! This issue explores annual wellness visits and falls, latest research findings on life expectancy, and more. Visit utmb.edu/scoa/community to read current & past issue and sign up for the mailing list. Know someone who would benefit from reading? Please share!
The Sealy Center on Aging invites researchers and collaborators to participate in a collaborative Ideation Jam focused on technology-enabled aging research. Come share early-stage ideas, explore cross-disciplinary partnerships, and identify next steps for future research. May 19, 2026 | 12–2 PM
Hello world! We are excited to connect with you here about aging research from UTMB Health, including funding, new grants, researcher highlights, important findings, and more. Students, trainees, and early career researchers are invited to follow us for announcements and opportunities 🤜🤛
— Sealy Center on Aging (@utmbscoa.bsky.social) January 31, 2025 at 10:29 AM
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