Makylah Allen
Osteoarthritis Treatment: The Effect of Rapamycin and Metformin
Being selected to be a part of the START program opened many new doors for me as a Black woman at a predominantly white institution. This program has enhanced my research experience and allowed me to feel like I can contribute to important conversations regarding the quality of life of the aging population. I have learned a vast amount of novel skills and areas of expertise within the aging research laboratory I am in. The networking and relationships I have built with professors within the college of Applied Health Sciences through START is invaluable!
Makylah Allen
Sophomore in Kinesiology
Faculty mentor: Dr. Adam Konopka
Department of Kinesiology and Community Health
Physiology of Aging Lab
Jessica Escutia
Sexuality in Older Adults: Attitudes, Perceptions and Implications
"As a first generation previously undocumented migrant, I didn’t think a pathway towards higher education was possible, the barriers and unfamiliarity with the culture of academia made the journey even more daunting. The START program gave the applied knowledge, understanding and guidance to start my own research focused on aging. This fall I will being attending the University of Chicago to pursue a master’s degree in Social Service Administration to further investigate how to support marginalized populations. I will forever be grateful to the START program for giving me the opportunity to advance and collaborate with such acclaimed faculty."
Jessica Escutia
Sophomore in I-Health
Faculty mentor: Dr. Liza Berdychevsky
Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism
Diversity Research Laboratory
Claire Inskeep
Advancing Social Engagement in Aging through Technology
"I'm passionate about research! It offers doorways to new information and ideas that feed my curiosity and motivate me to learn even more. Along with this, I was eager to find a research opportunity focusing on the aging population and was excited to be selected for the START program; it was a perfect fit".
Claire Inskeep
Senior in Speech and Hearing Science
Faculty mentor: Dr. Raksha Mudar
Department of Speech and Hearing Science
Aging and Neurocognition Lab
Diana Morales
Fighting Health Disparities: Improving the Health of Latinos
"What fuels me as a student researcher? Being a First-Generation Mexican-American Woman. Being a proud product of immigrants, I embrace and challenge the world around me, taking advantage of any and every opportunity I’ve earned. Being Mexican-American means I give back to my communities and try to dissolve disparities that exist between them. Being a woman means I show courage and strength, something many are not allowed to do. This is what fuels me as a student-researcher."
Diana Morales
Sophomore in Speech and Hearing Science
Faculty mentor: Dr. Susan Aguiñaga
Department of Kinesiology and Community Health
Carla Ortiz
Exploring Leisure, Assistive Devices, and Falls among Older Adults
"As a Latina woman interested in research, I’ve always recognized the need for more diverse voices in this field. Research is one of the most powerful tools in expanding our knowledge of the world and the START program has given these typically underrepresented voices a chance to be heard. As a START fellow, I have had the perfect opportunity to delve into the world of research in aging, gain valuable experience, and develop as both a student and researcher."
Carla Ortiz
Sophomore in Community Health
Faculty mentor: Dr. Laura Payne
Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism
Wallis Peterson
Falls risk: Studying Traumatic Brain Injury and Head Acceleration
"Being a member of the START program was a great first opportunity to dip my toes into the research world. It was also awesome during our weekly meeting/seminar to see such a diverse group of students who were all female pursuing the same goal of wanting to get more involved with research. I am grateful for the opportunity to do research in the aging field as someone who wants to study in the field of geriatrics."
Wallis Peterson
Sophomore in I-Health
Faculty mentor: Dr. Jake Sosnoff
Department of Kinesiology and Community Health
Motor Control Research Lab
Brielle Ross
Understanding Chronic Pain Management and Medical Cannabis
"Before the START program, I wasn’t as familiar with research that focuses on aging. It was interesting to hear about the different research that Applied Health Science professors are involved in throughout the program. The START program has made me more confident and eager to explore other aging topics in the future. I believe my African American background contributes to healthy aging in different aspects."
Brielle Ross
Sophomore in Community Health
Faculty mentor: Dr. Julie Bobitt
I-Health Program
Aging and Health Policy Lab
Isabella Russel
Promoting Ongoing Participation of Older Adults in Group Fitness
"Being a part of the START program has given me experience in research and a better insight into the field of aging. I had an excellent time working with Dr. Liechty and her research. I am thankful for her guidance and the support of everyone in the START program. I will carry this experience and everything I learned from it with me as I move forward towards a career in health."
Isabella Russel
Senior in Speech and Hearing Science
Faculty mentor: Dr. Toni Leichty
Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism
Siyao Zhang
Promoting Healthy Aging through Human Robot Interaction
"I used to think that it was extremely hard for undergraduate students to be involved in research labs, while START program completely changed my mind. In the past year, not only did I learn about the wealth of research resources in AHS, I also got in touch with so many fellow undergraduate student researchers with the same passion in aging field. Especially as an international students, I feel recognized when my understanding of a different culture provides fresh perspectives and makes impact on the research work in lab."
Siyao Zhang
Sophomore in Community Health
Faculty mentor: Dr. Wendy Rogers
Department of Kinesiology and Community Health
Human Factors and Aging Lab
