Medical Student Training in Aging Research (MSTAR) Sponsored by NIA/AFAR & Lillian R. Gleitsman




		Medical Student Training in Aging Research (MSTAR) Sponsored by NIA/AFAR & Lillian R. Gleitsman

Comments from Past Students

Once You've Been Accepted Into the Program

Seminars

AGS

Awards

Program Overview

The summer program provides short-term research training in aging and geriatrics to medical students to expose them, early in their training, to aging research. The students get mentorship from successful researchers in aging with the goal of encouraging them to consider careers in aging research.

In this program students spend 8-12 weeks 1) conducting aging research with the close supervision of an experienced mentor; 2) acquiring essential research skills; 3) networking with other medical students and faculty also having an interest in aging research; 4) learning about careers in aging; 5) learning about common clinical topics in aging; and 6) participating in clinical care of the aged.

As part of the program students attend weekly seminars on research topics, clinical geriatric and career opportunities in aging. Students also may participate in weekly clinical experiences in geriatrics, geriatric psychiatry and neurology.

Since 1989, more than 200 medical students have participated in this program and its precursor, the Medical Student Geriatric Scholars Program. Each year, students present their research at the UCLA Multicampus Program in Geriatrics and Gerontology seminar, and most also present their work at national meetings. Several of the students have won awards at these meetings and many have published their work in medical journals.

Research Experience

Each student has a structured research experience. Students conduct research with a mentor who will work with them to complete a project that can be accomplished in an 8 to 12 week period. Students meet with mentors at least weekly and prepare both oral and written presentations of their work.

Research Mentors and Opportunities

UCLA (PDF)

UCSF (PDF)

UCHSC (PDF)

Seminars

Students attend a weekly seminar on general research methods and learn how to prepare oral and written presentations of their research. They are also given lectures on clinical topics in geriatrics. (eg. geriatric assessment, incontinence) We invite physicians having different careers in aging to come speak with the students. Students at UCSF and UCHSC will attend these seminars via videoconference. Click below to see the program’s seminar schedule.

Sample Seminar Schedule

Clinical Experiences

Students at UCLA will participate in a weekly clinical experience that includes ambulatory geriatrics, geriatric psychiatry, and dementia clinics, and inpatient geriatrics. Students may elect to attend clinics in osteoporosis, incontinence, and neurobehavior and inpatient rounds with geriatric psychiatry, and palliative care, and make visits to homebound patients and those in long-term care facilities. Students at UCSF, and UCHSC may also participate in available clinical activities.

Networking

An important part of the program is networking with students and faculty who share interests in aging research and geriatrics through formal and informal meetings.

“To apply to the program please complete application at the following link www.afar.org/medstu.html ”