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