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HP-STAR: Health Professions - Student Training in Aging Research Program

HP-STAR Program Brochure

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Program Summary

The Health Professions-Student Training in Aging Research (HP-STAR) Program provides professional health students, early in their training, with an enriching experience in aging-related research and geriatrics, under the mentorship of approved, grant-funded basic and clinical scientists in the field. This program introduces students to research and academic experiences that they might not otherwise have during their health profession education. Our goal is to generate a cadre of health professionals-in-training to pursue academic careers in aging, ranging from basic science to clinical research to health services research (epidemiology, neurology, medicine, cardiology, robotics, etc.) who can join the growing cadre of health professionals and scientists whose specialized knowledge and skills are in great demand as our population ages. The Program began in 2010 at the University of Maryland Baltimore's health profession schools and parallels the original Hartford/AFAR Medical Student Geriatric Scholars Program, established in the mid-90's. Students will be accepted on a rolling basis until the deadline.

Supported by: The National Institute on Aging

Administered by: The University of Maryland School of Medicine/Office of Student Research

Associated with: 

Contact Information

Program Coordinator: 

Qi Cao, JD
Phone: (410) 706-0657 | Fax: (410) 706-0094
E-mail: QCao@som.umaryland.edu  

Address: 

Health Professions – Student Training in Aging Research (HP-STAR) Program
Office of Student Research
University of Maryland School of Medicine
655 West Baltimore Street
Bressler Research Building (M-019)
Baltimore, MD 21201

Application Information

Application deadline extended: January 26, 2012 

Research Mentors List

Application Documents

VA Medical Center Clearance Forms

NOTE: These forms are to be used by students whose mentors reside in the Baltimore VA Medical Center, regardless of the source of funding. If your intent is to work in the VAMC, it is essential that the clearance and background check must begin as early as possible, but no later than February 15 to ensure its completion by May 15.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the HP-STAR program structured?

In the summer, students will participate in a 10- to 12-week, structured basic and clinical research and didactic program in geriatrics, appropriate to their level of training and interests. Students will also participate in clinical shadowing once per week in multiple specialties during the summer. Students will train in one of the constituent schools (dental, medicine, nursing, pharmacy) and departments (physical therapy) at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB); the Baltimore Veterans Affairs Medical Center (BVAMC); or the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC).

Research projects are offered in basic, clinical, or health services research relevant to the aging population. Most students will do their training and research during the summer months. Those who conduct the best projects will receive a travel stipend to present a poster at the Annual Meeting of the American Geriatrics Society in May the year after completing the program, and will participate in a roundtable discussion with prominent scholars in aging and geriatric research.

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Who can apply?

Any health professional student in a 3-4 year doctoral (e.g., MD, PharmD, DDS, DNP, DPT) or combined degree program (e.g., MD/PhD, MD/MS, PharmD/MPH) who is in good standing with a GPA > 3.0 and who will have successfully completed one year of professional school by May of the program year may apply. A 'Letter of Good Standing' must be provided at the time of application and reaffirmed prior to the start of the summer program. Individuals holding PhD or other doctoral degrees in the health sciences/professions are not eligible.

Applicants must be citizens or non-citizen nationals of the United States, or must have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence (i.e., in possession of a currently valid Alien Registration Receipt Card I-551, or some other legal verification of such status.) Individuals on temporary or student visas are not eligible.

The National Institute on Aging (NIA) and UMB have a strong interest in continuing to diversify the research workforce committed to advancing the fields of aging and geriatric research. Therefore, students who are members of ethnic or racial groups underrepresented in these fields, students with disabilities, and students whose background and experience are likely to diversify the research or medical questions being addressed, are encouraged to apply.

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What are my responsibilities as a Mentor or Trainee?

Please see the Mentor-Trainee Guide.

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How many training scholar positions are available?

Each year, 20 competitive positions are available for the summer program.

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Where is the training program held?

The research is conducted in one of the constituent schools (dental, medicine, nursing, pharmacy) and programs (physical therapy) of the UMB, the BVAMC and UMMC.

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What is the amount of the award?

The stipend level is approximately $441.25 per week. Actual amounts will vary based on the specific appointment period of individual students. The length of research time is determined by the student in consultation with the program director, but a minimum of 10 weeks full-time participation is required and up to 12 weeks of funding is available. If you have any scheduling issues, please contact the program coordinator.

Students must cover their own travel and living expenses. We can provide advice on housing.

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Can I receive funding from another source during the NIA fellowship period?

No. If you are receiving a stipend or salary support from another federal source, then you are not eligible for this program. You may not hold any other award, or participate in another research program, concurrently with the HP-STAR program. This does not apply to scholarship funds (for tuition or subsistence) which your school may provide on an annual basis.

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Do I need a sponsor?

All students require a sponsor. The sponsor, who is a health professional clinical practitioner working with the aging population or conducting research in aging, will act as a mentor to the student throughout the remainder of the student's academic program at the student's home institution. The sponsor will meet at least twice each year with the student to discuss progress and assist the student in developing an academic geriatric career or focus.

If the student is from UMB, the sponsor will be assigned. The research mentor will work closely with the sponsor to provide a continual mentorship for the student and throughout the professional school career.

If the student is from an institution other than UMB, the student must have a Home Institution Faculty Sponsor (HIFS). The HIFS must be a faculty member of the student's Home Institution and whose work is relevant to geriatrics or gerontology. The HIFS will be required to submit an NIH BioSketch and a letter declaring that the HIFS will serve as a sponsor to the student and that the HIFS and the research mentor will work in concert with the HP-STAR program to provide continual mentorship. If you are unsure about who to contact for a sponsor, consider contacting the dean's office at your school.

Agreement to this arrangement is inherent in the participation in the program and is part of the student's acceptance into the program.

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What are the selection criteria?

Scholars will be chosen on the basis of their academic excellence, interest in geriatrics, and potential for success.

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How can I get an application and what is the application procedure?

The application must be completed by the student applying for the scholarship. The application consists of background information and a personal statement submitted by the student. The student's Curriculum Vitae must be also be submitted. The application must include the names of two individuals (undergraduate or professional school faculty members or mentors from prior research experience) who are familiar with the candidate and from whom a recommendation is being sought. For each of the two faculty members or past research mentors, enter your name and the faculty's contact information on the Faculty Recommendation Form and send the form to the faculty for completion. Faculty should return the forms directly to the program (QCao@som.umaryland.edu) according to the instructions on the form.

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What are the application and notification deadlines?

Applications are being received on an on-going basis through January 15 (next business day if weekend or holiday). Applicants will be notified as quickly as possible of their acceptance or rejection. All applicants will be notified by end of February.

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What are the reporting requirements?

HP-STAR scholars will be required to: 1) present a poster or oral presentation on the first Friday of August at the UM SoM Student Research Forum; 2) complete a journal-style paper within one month after completing the program; 3) write an abstract of the research; 4) and present a poster of their research project at the next American Geriatrics Society (AGS) Annual Meeting or at another venue at their school (e.g., Medical Student Research Day). Suggestions on how to prepare a poster at UMB or a poster at the AGS meeting.

The student research mentors will be required to provide evaluations of the student's performance, as well as their impressions of the program's impact on the student.

Former students will also be expected to respond to AFAR's longitudinal survey requests to be used in evaluating the effectiveness of the overall program.

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Is there a citizenship requirement for the HP-STAR program?

Yes. The Health Professions – Student Training in Aging Research (HP-STAR) program is funded by NIH/NIA which requires that the applicant is a US citizen or permanent resident.

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Are MD-PharmD-DDS-DNP-DPT/PhD or MD-PharmD-DDS-DNP-DPT/Masters students eligible?

Yes. But the Short-term training is not intended, and may not be used, to support activities that would ordinarily be part of a research degree program (i.e., part of the thesis).

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Do I have to complete the HP-STAR program in the summer between my first and second year of school?

Most applicants do complete the program between the first and second year of professional school. It is only required that students will have completed at least one year of professional school by the start of the program and that they are currently enrolled while participating in the program (i.e., they have not graduated). Students participate in group activities during the summer that are not available during other times of the year.

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When is the deadline?

Applications are due by January 15 (next business day if weekend or holiday).

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What does my home institution faculty sponsor (HIFS) need to say in their letter?

The HIFS will be asked to submit a mentoring plan that will help to ensure that your interest in academic geriatrics is sustained and further developed upon completion of your research program. The HIFS should provide a letter defining the HIFS's role in the program and declaring the HIFS's intent to have ongoing meetings with you until through the October of your senior year at a minimum.

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How do my home institution faculty sponsor (HIFS) and two references submit their part of my application?

You should provide those references with the recommendation files (#1 or #2) as defined in your application and they can submit their section of your application to QCao@som.umaryland.edu. The HIFS provides their information in a letter accompanied by their NIH Biosketch.

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Can my HIFS also submit a recommendation?

Yes.

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Why do I need a HIFS if I am from another institution and wouldn’t someone at UMB suffice?

You are required to have a HIFS at your home institution to help ensure that your interest in academic geriatrics is sustained and further developed upon completion of your research program. A research mentor at UMB would not necessarily have the month-to-month personal contact based on your interests.

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How am I matched with a research mentor?

During the application process you are asked to list up to 6 possible mentors. Once you are accepted into the program, you will be assigned to one of those mentors based on an evaluation of your application by the evaluation committee.

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Can my letter of reference and/or faculty sponsor plan come in after the deadline?

You will have two weeks beyond the deadline to get your supporting materials to us. After that, your application will be considered incomplete and will not be considered or accepted.

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When will I hear whether I have been accepted into the program?

You will be notified by end of February.

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