Ruth Ada
Mobile, Wearable, and Home-Based Fall Prevention Technologies for Older Adults
Joining the START Program was one of the highlights of my college career. Not only did it give me an opportunity to work in a lab where I had amazing mentors and learning opportunities, but it validated my abilities as a young Asian American woman to be successful in my chosen field. I am so proud of the work that my peers and I have accomplished during our year in the START program. The knowledge and connections that I have gained through research are invaluable, and I can't wait to see what the future holds!
Ruth Ada
Senior in I-Health
Faculty mentor: Dr. Shannon Mejía
Department of Kinesiology and Community Health
Adult Development, Adaptation, & Technology Laboratory (AdaptLab)
Anya Bhagwakar
Perceptions of Meditation among Catholic Latinx
"Being someone who had little research experience, the START program was the perfect opportunity for me to dive into the world of academic research. This program taught me the skills that I needed to work in that setting and helped me find a lab that matched my goals as a student researcher. The STAR program gave me all the tools I needed to be successful in the field of research and I am beyond grateful for this experience!"
Anya Bhagwakar
Senior in I-Health
Faculty mentor: Susan Aguinaga
Department of Kinesiology and Community Health
Daniel Boachie
Measurement of cognitive benefits following physical activity interventions
"Prior to START, I did not see the value of getting involved at the University of Illinois, but the program changed that. Before START, I did not see myself as competent enough to be a contributing factor in a research lab, but the support and guidance I’ve received from Dr. Schwingel and the EPL staff have been invaluable in changing this mindset. I’ve been able to gain novel skills, experiences, and build a relationship with faculty that I believe will be very beneficial in my future endeavors."
Daniel Boachie
Junior in Kinesiology
Faculty mentor: Dr. Neha Gothe
Department of Kinesiology and Community Health
Exercise Psychology Lab
Vivian Chay
Robot and older adults: perceived roles and importance
"Being in the START program for two semesters, I have gained a lot of knowledge on research and have developed new perspectives on the different topics on aging. I am also grateful that START has assisted my transitioning into a research lab by giving me prior knowledge and skills of research. Overall, I really enjoying working in this diverse and great START team."
Vivian Chay
Sophomore in Kinesiology
Faculty mentor: Dr. Wendy Rogers
Department of Kinesiology and Community Health
Human Factors and Aging Lab
Cailey Cranny
Fostering Physical Activity for People with Disabilities Through Park District Programs
"Difference can be challenging. If you've got a homogenous group of people who all think alike, it’s easier to reach a comfortable consensus. Diversity means including people with different perspectives, different experiences, different opinions, and perhaps different working styles or expectations. The companies that succeed in their diversity initiatives do a good job of managing those differences and creating a harmonious whole.”
Cailey Cranny
Senior in I-Health
Faculty mentor: Dr. Toni Liechty
Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism
Jenna Crean
A Multi-Modal Brain Imaging Study of Misophonia Examining its Audiological and Psychological Aspects
"I am very passionate about research! The START program has provided me with a hands on experience in research and a better insight into the field of aging. I had an excellent time working with Dr. Husain 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."
Jenna Crean
Senior in Speech and Hearing Science
Faculty mentor: Dr. Fatima Husain
Department of Speech and Hearing Science
Auditory Cognitive Neuroscience Lab
Leah Lasher
Improving cognitive function of older adults through exercise intervention
"Being a part of the START program has given me so many opportunities that I would not have had otherwise. Learning about and being involved in aging research at UIUC is something that is so special and valuable for my future aspirations. I am also grateful to have been surrounded by a diverse group of individuals in this program. It is so important to see culturally and racially diverse perspectives in research."
Leah Lasher
Junior in Kinesiology
Faculty mentor: Dr. Neha Gothe
Department of Kinesiology and Community Health
Exercise Psychology Lab
Jessie Li
The Impacts of COVID-19 on Sex Life
"I applied to the START program on a whim, not really knowing the full extent of aging research. Since joining, I have had the pleasure to meet and interact with so many like minded people while learning new skills through research. I’d like to thank Dr. Schwingel and the rest of the START team for empowering me to participate and engage with the resources they have organized. START has definitely become one of my favorite undergrad experiences so far."
Jessie Li
Sophomore in I-Health
Faculty mentor: Dr. Liza Berdychevsky
Diversity Research Laboratory
Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism
Chloe Maghinang
Attention, Inhibition, & Varying Hearing Ability in Older Adults
"As a first-generation Asian American woman and a proud daughter of two immigrant parents, I embrace the values of determination, perseverance, and hard work instilled in me throughout my life. I strive to continuously exercise such principles and conducting research through the START program has given me the perfect opportunity to do so. I am incredibly grateful for everyone who has helped me develop as a student and a researcher."
Chloe Maghinang
Sophomore in Speech and Hearing Science
Faculty mentor: Dr. Raksha Mudar
Department of Speech and Hearing Science
Aging and Neurocognition Lab
Vanesa Ramos
Daily Balance Project & #agingwell Project
"The START program gave me the space to voice my thoughts on science/health related topics, and I am grateful for the START program to have given a opportunity for minority students to get more involved in aging research. The adult development, adaptation, and technology lab has welcomed me with open arms and has taught me more about aging research above and beyond what is taught in a typical university course."
Vanesa Ramos
Junior in I-Health
Faculty mentor: Shannon Mejía
Department of Kinesiology and Community Health
Adult Development, Adaptation, & Technology Laboratory (AdaptLab)
Vanessa Romero
Enhancing Quality of Life for Older Adults With and Without MCI through Social Engagement Over Video Technology
"Being a first-generation woman of color in my family has inspired me to continue my education for myself and my parents who sacrificed so much by emigrating to the United States. I always wanted to be involved in research but did not know where to begin. The START program gave me the opportunity to learn and be part of a research program that has expanded my professional skills in the field of research and aging."
Vanessa Romero
Junior in Department of Speech and Hearing Science
Faculty mentor: Dr. Raksha Mudar
Department of Speech and Hearing Science
Aging and Neurocognition Lab
Brianna Silveira
Age Differences in Resilience to the COVID-19’s Impacts on Sexual Health
"As a wheelchair user, I had little time to seek out potential research opportunities due to other responsibilities. The START program helped me gain research experience while matching me with a lab, so I didn't have to seek one out myself. Research experience is crucial to being a student at Illinois. The START program facilitated valuable research experience, which I may not have had otherwise."
Brianna Silveira
Senior in Community Health
Faculty mentor: Dr. Liza Berdychevsky
Department of Kinesiology and Community Health
Diversity Research Laboratory
2019-2020 START FELLOWS & FACULTY MENTORS
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
2018-2019 START FELLOWS & FACULTY MENTORS
Sonia Cabreara, Community Health
Faculty mentor: Dr. Liza Berdychevsky, Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism

Leonardo Daniel Guzman, Kinesiology
Faculty mentor: Dr. Shannon Mejia, Department of Kinesiology and Community Health

Jennifer Lee, I-Health
Faculty mentor: Dr. Wendy Rogers, Department of Kinesiology and Community Health

Seungaha (Riah) Lee, I-Health
Faculty mentor: Dr. Adam Konopka, Department of Kinesiology and Community Health

Jessica Philipp, Speech and Hearing Science
Faculty mentor: Dr. Raksha Mudar, Department of Speech and Hearing Science

Grace Rochford, Speech and Hearing Science
Faculty mentor: Dr. Raksha Mudar, Department of Speech and Hearing Science

Nimota-lai (Nini) Sulaiman, Kinesiology
Faculty mentor: Dr. Jake Sosnoff, Department of Kinesiology and Community Health

Kathy Tran, Community Health
Faculty mentor: Dr. Diana Grigsby-Toussaint, Department of Kinesiology and Community Health

Jenna Vangalis, Kinesiology
Faculty mentor: Dr. Fatima Husain, Department of Speech and Hearing Science

Emily Williams, Community Health
Faculty mentor: Dr. Julie Bobitt, I-Health

Alanna Wong, I-Health
Faculty mentor: Dr. Shannon Mejia, Department of Kinesiology and Community Health
