2010 MSTAR Program 2010 MSTAR Program GraduationGraduation
Jason LiebowitzJason LiebowitzJohns Hopkins School of MedicineJohns Hopkins School of Medicine
““The MSTAR program has allowed me to meet The MSTAR program has allowed me to meet phenomenal students and experts from phenomenal students and experts from
across the country and engage in discussions across the country and engage in discussions about geriatrics, public health, policy, and about geriatrics, public health, policy, and clinical care. My experience has greatly clinical care. My experience has greatly
enhanced my interest in pursuing geriatrics enhanced my interest in pursuing geriatrics and has provided me with the skills to and has provided me with the skills to
continue conducting research in this fieldcontinue conducting research in this field.”.”
Mentor: Dr. Paulo Chaves
Project: The Relationship Between Vitamin D Status and Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) Levels in Frail and Non-Frail Elderly Women in Baltimore
Tiffany CaoTiffany CaoNortheastern Ohio Universities Northeastern Ohio Universities
College of MedicineCollege of Medicine
Mentor: Dr. Cindy Roy
Project: IL-6 -/-mice may have greater capacity for oxidative phosphorylation in old age
“MSTAR is a great program to explore your interests in medicine.”
Mentor: Dr. Cynthia Boyd
Project: Experiences of Treatment Burden andDevelopment of an Assessment Tool
S. Orion CourtinS. Orion CourtinUniversity of Maryland
“The MSTAR program has deepened my interest in geriatrics and academic medicine - I look forward to future collaboration with
the terrific and dedicated faculty. “
S. Estella PhilippopoulosS. Estella PhilippopoulosDrexel University College of MedicineDrexel University College of Medicine
Mentor: Eleanor Simonsick, PhD
Project: Hemoglobin and Iron Levels and Walking- related Parameters and Energy Expenditure in Late Life
“Through this experience my interest in geriatrics and academic medicine has been
strengthened. I observed various components of geriatric care and look
forward to applying this knowledge to my future career.”
Lila Sheikhi Lila Sheikhi Northeastern Ohio UniversitiesNortheastern Ohio Universities
College of Medicine College of Medicine
Mentor:Philip Wong, PhD
Project: Investigating the role of TDP-43 in neural stem cell differentiation
“It has been rewarding to be at the very heart of geriatrics and aging research.
Experiencing the compassion the faculty possess towards their patients and
observing skills demonstrated in bettering care through research emboldens my future
aspirations.”
““I enjoyed this unique experience very much. I enjoyed this unique experience very much. The most valuable knowledge I gained was in the The most valuable knowledge I gained was in the practical clinical experiences. These taught me practical clinical experiences. These taught me
beyond the definition of aging described in books beyond the definition of aging described in books and realized that the geriatric population not and realized that the geriatric population not only seeks excellent doctors for high quality only seeks excellent doctors for high quality
health care but also look for people they could health care but also look for people they could talk with confidence, trust their health and, and talk with confidence, trust their health and, and in this way, feel sheltered during their journey in this way, feel sheltered during their journey
through life.”through life.”
Andrea M. CorujoAndrea M. CorujoUniversity of Puerto Rico School of MedicineUniversity of Puerto Rico School of Medicine
Mentor: Dr. Roy Ziegelstein
Project: Atypical Depression: A Risk Factor for Heart Disease?
Jennifer Gibson ChambersJennifer Gibson ChambersUniversity of New England University of New England
College of Osteopathic MedicineCollege of Osteopathic Medicine
Mentor: Dr. Frederick Sieber
Project: Assessment tools to detect recovery room delirium in geriatric patients
“Geriatrics is not a specialty of isolated practitioners taking care of older adults in
clinics, but a collaborative group influencing and directing the type of care received by
older adults throughout the hospital, across services and into the community.”
Ami SaraiyaAmi SaraiyaNortheastern Ohio Universities Northeastern Ohio Universities
College of MedicineCollege of Medicine
Mentor: Dr. Colleen Christmas
Project: The Aliki Project: An innovative approach toteaching internal medicine residents aboutpatient care
“Through my summer here with the MSTAR program, I have not only learned and gained
an appreciation about the care of older adults, but I have also grown as an individual
and begun defining my future interests.”
Jia LiuJia LiuUniversity of Pittsburgh School of MedicineUniversity of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Mentor: Dr. Patrick Ha
Project: Epigenetic Alterations in MalignantSalivary Gland Carcinomas
"The best geriatricians can gain so much valuable information from a patient and how
he or she is doing from what appears to be an episode of simple banter. So much of
geriatrics is understanding the patient as a person and not just a set of medical issues.”
Nida DegesysNida DegesysNortheastern Ohio UniversitiesNortheastern Ohio Universities
College of Medicine College of Medicine
Mentor: Dr. Ilene Browner
Project: Comparing VES-13 to the Frailty Phenotype in Oncology Patients
“I have learned how passionate geriatricians are about their field, the breadth and depth
of their knowledge, and the incredible empathy and dedication they have for their
patients.”
Jennifer ChristieJennifer ChristieThe University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
School of MedicineSchool of Medicine
““Family members play a significant role Family members play a significant role in the care of older adults. However, in in the care of older adults. However, in the absence of family, the support of a the absence of family, the support of a
physician becomes even more valuable. physician becomes even more valuable. Before my MSTAR experience, I didn’t Before my MSTAR experience, I didn’t realize the level of commitment that realize the level of commitment that geriatricians make to their patients. ”geriatricians make to their patients. ”
Mentor: Matthew McNabney, MD
Project: Evaluation of outcomes among PACE Patients who receive sub-acute care in a skilled nursing facility without a preceding three day hospitalization
George AsaadGeorge AsaadOhio University College of
Osteopathic Medicine
Mentors: Sean Leng, MD PhD & Huifen Li, PhD
Project: Characterization of the old low capacity runner rat as a model of human frailty with a focus on the immune system.
“Geriatrics is an opportunity to integrate every field and aspect of medicine to improve the quality
of life for older individuals and their loved ones. This involves applying research findings to
continuously improve our evolving standards of care.”
Yvette WangYvette WangUMDNJ - SOMUMDNJ - SOM
Mentor:Dr. Sheldon Gottlieb
Project: Systematic review of fluid restriction in heart failure
patients
“The program has shown me the importance of geriatric medicine in managing patients' health care
and that it is not only about prescribing the right medications but understanding a patient's mental
and social status. I learned about the scientific research done with the biology of aging and on the
clinical and public health side of geriatric medicine. I hope to take the lessons learned and ideas from the MSTAR program to fuel my medical career further.”
Mohammed HoqueMohammed HoqueStony Brook University School of Medicine
Mentor: Dorry Segev, MD, PhD
Project: To quantify the relationship between frailty and kidney transplantation complications, survival,
and to better predict outcomes and quality of life.
“This summer has helped me understand the breadth of both medical knowledge and
interpersonal skills that are necessary to become a great geriatrician.”
Neel ParekhNeel ParekhNortheastern Ohio UniversitiesNortheastern Ohio Universities
College of MedicineCollege of Medicine
Mentor: Dr. Jeremy Walston
Project: The relationship between inflammatory mediators and cognitive outcomes in older adults undergoing elective surgery.
“My summer at Johns Hopkins has prepared me well for a future in medicine. Most importantly, it has provided me with far greater knowledge regarding the treatment and
care of older adults to the best of my ability. Working alongside clinicians and researchers has enabled me to
experience medicine in an environment that truly strives to achieve the highest standard of care. I would like to
thank everyone involved in the MSTAR program for allowing me to have this opportunity.”
Daniel C. ParkerDaniel C. ParkerEastern Virginia Medical School
Mentor: Dr. Neal Fedarko
Project: Changes in Neopterin in aMCI and AD, Carnosinase Activity in Normal Aging and Cancer
“I learned the power of teamwork, innovation and a patient-centered approach to overcome challenges and transform American health care. I also learned
what a collegial, high-quality and cutting-edge health care environment looks like and I will strive
to replicate that environment in the future, wherever I go.”
We would like to express our We would like to express our appreciation to Drs. Durso and Barron, appreciation to Drs. Durso and Barron, our mentors, and all of the clinicians our mentors, and all of the clinicians and staff at Johns Hopkins for making and staff at Johns Hopkins for making
this an intellectual and memorable this an intellectual and memorable experience.experience.
Thank you!Thank you!
The 2010 MSTAR GraduatesThe 2010 MSTAR Graduates