Sealy Center on Aging

WHOPAHO Scholar Highlight: Diego Urrunaga-Pastor, MD Please join us in welcoming visiting scholar Diego Urrunaga-Pastor, MD to UTMB Health.

Please join us in welcoming visiting scholar Diego Urrunaga-Pastor, MD to UTMB Health. His work bridges clinical medicine, public health, and statistical methodology, with a focus on aging, chronic disease, and health decision-making in Latin America. utmb.us/ely

Meet Dr. Brian Downer, Associate Professor at UTMB PHHD. He studies cognition, dementia, and healthcare use in older adults and directs two PhD programs in Population Health and Rehabilitation & Health Services Research.

Watch the full video: utmb.us/ehz

In 1891, 23 med students walked into a single building in Galveston and started something that’s still shaping healthcare today.

Hands-on from day one. Built by community. Still standing.

The story’s worth a read: utmb.us/elo

#UTMB #MedEd #HistoryWithPurpose #MedicalSchool #Galveston

UTMB Community: Submit your abstract to the Forum on Aging by October 3!

AGING WELL: What you need to know What does it take to age well today? Join UTMB Health experts on brain health, aging research, nutrition and geriatric care as they share the latest insights, practical tips and resources for living longer and better Wednesday, October 22, 2025 9:30 am – 11:30 am OLLI at UTMB Health 1200 Market Street Galveston, TX 77555 FREE Parking (Entrance at Mechanic Street) FREE – OPEN TO THE PUBLIC (OLLI Membership not required) FREE Parking (Entrance at Mechanic Street) Register Now: https://utmb.us/ejf AGENDA: 9:30 am - 10:15 am Geriatric Medicine and Your 4 M's Dr. Mukaila Raji, Professor & Director, Geriatric Medicine Nutrition and Sleep Health Dr. Emily Lantz, Assistant Professor, Nutrition Sciences 10:15 am - 10:30 am BREAK 10:30 am - 11:15 am Aging Research - What's Next? Dr. Missy Morrow, Director, Sealy Center on Aging Geroscience: What Is It and How Can You Get Involved? Dr. Alan Landay, Vice President, Team Science

💪What does it take to age well? Join experts on brain health, aging research, nutrition, & geriatric care as they share insights, practical tips, & resources for living longer and better on Oct 22 at OLLI. Free & open to the public. Register today! utmb.us/ekn

Applause for Dr. Meredith Masel, voted Best Professor in The Daily News Readers’ Choice 2025. Galveston readers recognized a teacher whose courses strengthen communication, care, and collaboration. SPPH is proud to learn with her!

✍️ Dr. Markides is a contributor to this article in honor of International Day of Older Persons on October 1.

❓How has an older adult made a difference in your life? Share your story in the comments below.

Seminar: Challenges in Non-Inferiority Testing: Why It's Not Just a One-Sided Version of Superiority Testing Presented by: Dr. Samiran Ghosh, Professor & Chair, Department of Biostatistics & Data Science, UT Health Houston Date: Tuesday, October 21, 2025 Time: 12:00-1:00PM Location: in person at UHC 4.108 (lunch will be provided) Can't make it in person? Join us virtually by registering on Zoom: https://www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_herRtQgoT1qEpJCyppP8jQ Hybrid Seminar: Contact Anirudh Babu (asbabu@utmb.edu) for additional information.

UTMB Community: Join us for the next DMAC CERCIT Seminar Series: "Challenges in Non-Inferiority Testing: Why It's Not Just a One-Sided Version of Superiority Testing," presented by Samiran Ghosh, Professor & Chair, Department of Biostatistics & Data Science, UT Health Houston. www.utmb.edu/dmac

UTMB Community: Submit your abstract to the Forum on Aging by October 3!

Please note, this event is open to members of OLLI. Learn how to join at their website: www.utmb.edu/olli.

The LOI deadline for RCCN Pilot Awards is next week! Learn more about this funding mechanism which provides funding to catalyze enduring collaborations for at least two collaborative pilot, planning, or meeting grants supporting interdisciplinary research in cross-cutting theme areas: bit.ly/3JLCcQ1

Sept 25 at OLLI - UTMB Experts Series, "Using Technology for Healthy Aging: Tools to Support Your Wellness & Independence." Leading UTMB researchers Melissa Morrow, Meredith Masel, and Elizabeth Lyons will share tools designed to help older adults stay active, connected, and independent. utmb.us/ei9

Announcement National Institute on Aging renews funding for the UTMB Health Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center Continuously funded since 2000 2025 - 2030 theme Enhance functional independence in older adults with chronic disabling conditions by reducing health disparities UTMB Health logo photo of Galveston Seawall, waves and rocks, at sunset

💡 The NIA has renewed funding for the UTMB Health Pepper OAIC with a five-year, $6.5 million award, continuing support through August 2030. Since 2000, the Center has advanced research and training focused on improving independence for older adults. Read more: utmb.us/eh7

Last week, UTMB’s H-COR brought together faculty and clinicians for its first retreat, charting a shared vision for outcomes research—shaping priorities, training, and partnerships for the future.
Read more: utmb.us/edd

We are excited to recognize the recent promotions of our faculty. Their contributions in teaching, research, and service make a lasting difference.

We're proud to announce the Sealy Heart and Vascular Institute and the new Dept. of Cardiovascular Medicine. Special thanks to Dr. Hani Jneid who will lead this work and to the Sealy & Smith Foundation for their generous support. https://utmb.us/ecj

Save the Date The 28th Annual Forum on Aging October 16, 2025 4-6pm www.utmb.edu/scoa/forum photos of faculty members smiling, talking about research, networking

Save the date for the 28th Annual Forum on Aging at UTMB Health! The Forum provides a platform for faculty members, fellows, and students to share their ongoing aging research. Stay tuned for a call for abstracts! www.utmb.edu/scoa/forum

I am proud to announce the launch of the Sealy Heart and Vascular Institute and the new Dept of Cardiovascular Medicine at UTMB Health under the leadership of Dr. Hani Jneid. Thank you to the Sealy & Smith Foundation for their support to deliver care to the communities we serve. https://utmb.us/ecj.

Dr. Jarrel De Matas asked a vital question at UTMB SPPH: What if AI supported deeper listening in clinical care? His seminar shared a plan for designing systems that recognize when patients feel dismissed, confused, or emotionally overwhelmed. Narrative medicine may be part of the solution.

At UTMB’s John Sealy School of Medicine, our faculty are gathered today for a Curriculum Strategy Workshop, rethinking how we teach and train the next generation of physicians.

We’re building a stronger, values-driven curriculum to meet the future of medicine. #MedicalEducation #UTMB #MedEd #MedSky

photo collage of forum attendees - people of different age, sex and ethnicity in a professional setting, smiling, with certificates in front of research posters The Forum on Aging: Celebrating 28 years of showcasing aging research at UTMB

Save the date for the 28th Annual Forum on Aging! Join us on Oct 16 for networking and learning about the research services offered by the Sealy Center on Aging. Each year, monetary awards are given for the best student and fellow posters. Stay tuned for a call for abstracts! www.utmb.edu/scoa/forum

Faculty Factory Presented by UTMB Health

🎓Check out this Faculty Factory Podcast "Leadership is Personal" exploring team building, applied knowledge (or intelligence), situational awareness, authenticity, and the role of brain chemistry by Dr. Sharma, Senior VP, Chief Medical & Clinical Innovation Officer facultyfactory.org/gulshan-shar...

collage of students presenting posters and giving presentations

UTMB Students Shine with MSTAR! Students presented work in the Medical Student Training in Aging Research (MSTAR) program. Topics ranged from delirium prevention to dementia diagnosis and metabolic health. Award winners included Matthew Phan, Annika Nambiar, and Hamid Koroni. Congratulations to all!

group of older adults seated in a circle with a facilitator, a woman of color

Are you an adult age 60+? Do you want to take control of your health and live an active, fulfilling life? Look no further – The Patient Education Programs (PEP) are here to support you! Interested? Visit www.utmb.edu/diabetes or contact cdprogram@utmb.edu.

www.utmb.edu/scoa/about-u...

👉 A video of this presentation is now available at the DMAC website: www.utmb.edu/dmac

UTMB Health Data Management and Analysis Core for Comparative Effectiveness Research on Cancer in Texas Congratulations to 2025-2026 Pilot Project Awardees -Shifa Kanjwal, MD (Assistant Professor, UT Southwestern Dallas): Characteristics and Outcomes of Pregnancy Associated Breast Cancer in Texas using Texas Medicaid. Drs. Lopez & Giordano, Mentors -Gabriel Benavidez, PhD (Assistant Professor, Baylor University): Medicaid Enrollment Timing and Cancer Care in Rural vs. Urban Women. Drs. Goodwin & Kuo, Mentors -Byeongyeob Choi, PhD (Assistant Professor, UTHealth San Antonio): Advanced Causal Inference for ADI Effects on Cancer Diagnosis. Dr. Kuo, Mentor -Ami Sedani, PhD, MPH (Assistant Professor, UTHealth Houston): Assessing Colorectal Cancer Screening and Follow-up in Texas Medicaid. Dr. Lopez & Kuo, Mentors Visit our website to learn more: www.utmb.edu/dmac This project is funded by CPRIT: https://www.cprit.state.tx.us/grants-funded/grants/rp210130

👏 Congratulations to 2025-2026 Pilot Project Awardees in the Data Management and Analysis Core (DMAC) for Comparative Effectiveness Research on Cancer in Texas (CERCIT) program!

🔗 www.utmb.edu/dmac

Learn more about the latest developments in research, education, clinical care and innovation at UTMB Health by subscribing to our monthly email newsletter, UTMB News. Visit utmb.us/brs to sign up now.

A video of this lecture is now available at the DMAC website: www.utmb.edu/dmac 🔗

A full day of focus and faculty collaboration.
Last week’s grant writing workshop with Dr. John Robertson gave the Department of Population Health & Health Disparities a chance to refine their Specific Aims and strengthen proposals through open, honest feedback. These moments build better research.

Wed, May 02, 11 33 AM Presented by Default Presenter

✍️ This week's #ResearchRoundup highlights an impactful video from our archives! Check out, "Sixteen Suggestions to Improve Skills in Scientific Writing," 🥼 presented by our founding director Dr. James Goodwin: utmb.us/e9w