Medical Student Training in Aging Research (MSTAR)
The foundation of MSTAR is an 8-week immersive summer research project in aging, guided by a faculty mentor the student chooses. The program features an extensive curriculum on topics in Geriatric Medicine and aging research, led by expert faculty who also share their career paths. There are clinical shadowing experiences in Geriatric Medicine. At the end of the summer, students present their work in a special symposium and submit an abstract to the American Geriatrics Society annual meeting. MSTAR is a full-time, in-person program.
The MSTAR program is a full-time, in-person research program. Students cannot simultaneously work on any other federally-funded research, and any extracurricular activities must not interfere with full-time research work during usual business hours. Students are required to participate in the MSTAR program for a minimum of 8 weeks. The start and end dates of the program are flexible to account for variation in medical school schedules, but all students must be present for 7 weeks from 6/23/25 – 8/8/25 for the seminar series.
More details here: https://www.afar.org/grants/mstar
https://geriatrics.ucsf.edu/education/medical-students/mstar
- Research projects are offered in basic, translational, clinical, or health services research relevant to older people.
- A poster can be presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Geriatrics Society.
- Students can conduct their research at UCSF or in other academic institutions, with specific research mentors (please see list of mentors and schools on the website).
- Students must have a faculty sponsor/mentor to apply.
Elaine Chow
Education Programs Specialist
[email protected]
John Newman, MD, PhD
UCSF Site Director
[email protected]
This is an extramural funding source and is not dispersed by the Inquiry Funding Office.
We will start accepting applications on: January 13, 2025
Application Deadline: February 14, 2025
- Finding a Mentor - Applicants must establish a relationship with a research mentor before submitting an application. Students who already work with a mentor at UCSF on aging related research may continue working with their mentor. MSTAR students may work with any UCSF faculty who do aging related research, but we suggest starting with these faculty who are familiar with the MSTAR program: See MSTAR Mentor List below and check MENTOR AVAILABILITY (once list is finalized and live) prior to contacting the mentors. These mentors have volunteered to host MSTAR students, but may still have their own criteria for accepting a mentee. If a mentor is not listed who you’d like to work with, please reach out to Elaine Chow or John Newman.
- UCLA Application - Since we are a satellite program of the UCLA MSTAR training site, please email the UCLA MSTAR program to obtain the application form.
- Creating a strong application - The MSTAR program is intended to foster the early career development of clinician-researchers focused on aging research and the care of older adults. Therefore, a strong application will demonstrate a commitment to both clinical care of older adults and aging research through prior activities and accomplishments, the personal statement, and mentor statements. Specific prior experience in these areas can help demonstrate commitment, but is not necessarily required. Make sure your application describes any prior research experience including any abstracts, preprints, or publications. The proposed research project must involve aging research, defined broadly. If studying a disease that occurs mostly in older adults, the project must engage the aging or older adults aspects of that disease. We are committed to enrolling a diverse and inclusive class of students.
- Notifications of Acceptance - Acceptances will be announced starting on March 3-7, 2025.
