The Summer LIFE Scholars Program provides an opportunity for students to work with a Center for Healthy Aging Research faculty member to develop research skills and an understanding of opportunities in science and research. LIFE Scholars must be enrolled for fall term 2023 or intend to complete a degree at Oregon State University.
The population of Americans aged 65 and over is expected to double in the next 25 years. By 2030, almost 1 out of every 5 Oregonians will be 65 or over.
The vision of the OSU Center for Healthy Aging Research is to become nationally and internationally known for innovative research, education, and outreach that enhances quality of life for older adults, their families, and society. Center researchers from multiple OSU departments join together to plan, coordinate, and conduct collaborative, multidisciplinary studies designed to optimize the health and well-being of aging individuals and their families.
A unique feature of the Center is its cellular to societal focus. It is organized around four research cores:
Students currently pursuing a baccalaureate or graduate degree at OSU and who are in good academic standing are eligible to apply. Preference will be given to undergraduate students.
Only faculty associated with the Center for Healthy Aging Research are eligible to serve as Faculty Project Advisors. Information on faculty associated with the Center is available on each of the CHAR Research Cores pages.
Maximum award is $1000 with a $1000 match from student's faculty advisor or department.
Departmental matches that bring total support to $2,000 are strongly preferred. Students should prepare their budgets showing the total amount requested from both CHAR and the participating department.
Awards are made to support scholarly, creative and research activities in the interdisciplinary field of aging. Center for Healthy Aging Research support will not be in lieu of existing grant funds previously budgeted for undergraduate research assistance. Work schedules are to be negotiated between the student and the Faculty Project Advisor(s).
You will need to complete survey questions, upload the application form and the following documents (as PDF or Word Doc).
Thank you for your interest in the LIFE Scholars Summer Research Program. The application window for the 2023 program closed on April 14.
We are currently reviewing applications and will soon announce the awardees.
Please contact us at healthyaging@oregonstate.edu if you have any questions.
Due to the regulatory compliance requirements inherent in research, students must submit the proper forms and receive approval from the appropriate compliance committees prior to the start of their research. Please note that the Regulatory Compliance Section (Item #7) must be completed by all applicants.
All application materials, including supporting documentation, be emailed by 5 p.m. by the deadline indicated at the beginning of this announcement.
The Center for Healthy Aging Research LIFE Scholars Advisory Panel will review all eligible proposals. The Advisory Panel will provide a prioritized list of funding recommendations to the Director of the Center for Healthy Aging Research based on the quality of the proposals as reflected in the review criteria. Funds will be awarded based on these recommendations.
The Center for Healthy Aging Research LIFE Scholars Advisory Panel is composed of faculty members appointed by the Center for Healthy Aging Research Co-Directors. Students should direct their proposals to a general audience, avoiding the use of jargon and unexplained acronyms.
The Center for Healthy Aging Research LIFE Scholars Advisory Panel will evaluate each proposal using the following criteria: (Not in order of importance)
If more information regarding research compliance is needed, refer to the following:
Any presentations and/or publications made possible by using Center for Healthy Aging Research funding are required to include the statement: "This publication/presentation was funded in part by the Center for Healthy Aging Research, Oregon State University."
A final, scholarly report will be due at the end of summer term. The report should contain a brief summary of the activities performed using Center for Healthy Aging Research support. It should also state the benefits gained from this support, including further scholarly activities, research progress, collaborative relationships, and any publications or additional funding made possible for the student. All LIFE Scholars are also expected to participate in at least one public presentation concerning the program and research completed, preferably the Undergraduate Research Conference in the Spring.
The LIFE Scholars Summer Research Program, sponsored by The Center for Healthy Aging Research, provides an opportunity for students to work with a faculty member to develop research skills and an understanding of opportunities in science and research.
The program, which has been running since 2006, has provided support to assist undergraduates in research. We have had many outstanding scholars in the past few years. Congratulations to them all!
Aidan Fichter
BS Biochemistry and Biophysics
Effects of age and dietary zinc status on bone marrow adiposity in mice.
Mentor: Dr. Urszula Iwaniec, Nutrition Program, CPHHS
Ibrahim Abou-Seada
BS Biochemistry and Biophysics
Investigation of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) Infectious Theory.
Mentor: Dr. Kathy Magnusson, Linus Pauling Institute & CVM
Lily He
BS BioHealth Sciences
Determining the Relationship Between Age and the Efficacy of Broccoli Sprout Consumption in HDAC Inhibition and Induction of Phase 2 Enzymes in Human Subjects.
Mentor: Dr. Emily Ho, Linus Pauling Institute & CPHHS
Paige Jamieson
Nutrition Doctoral program, CPHHS
Effects of xanthohumol supplementation on the human intestinal microbiome.
Mentor: Dr. Fred Stevens Linus Pauling Institute & Pharmacy
Madeline Nichols, MS
HDFS Doctoral program, CPHHS
Emotion Regulation Adaptation in Midlife: Contextual Influences.
Mentor: Dr. Kelly Chandler, Human Development & Family Sciences, CPHHS
Alejandro Villalobos
Kinesiology Doctoral program, CPHHS
Effective interventions for equitably reaching and increasing physical activity in older adult populations: A systematic scoping review of scientific literature.
Mentor: Dr. Deborah John, Kinesiology and OSU Extension; CPHHS
Women’s Experience with Interval Breast Cancer.
Advisor: Veronica Irvin
The Role of Vitamin E in the Prevention of Sarcopenia.
Advisor: Maret Traber
Exploring genetic bases of negative effects of blue light on fruit fly lifespan.
Advisor: Jaga Giebultowicz
Determining expression of neuronal N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor (NMDAR) proteins in mice treated chronically with ibuprofen.
Advisor: Kathy Magnusson
Dylan Lee | Homecoming experiences and PTSD symptoms of Vietnam War Veterans in urban and rural areas of Oregon. | Dr. Carolyn Aldwin | ||
Melissa Wong | Effects of aging on sensory functions. | Dr. Juyun Lim | ||
Mary Prater | Quantification of nitrate in baby foods, spinaches, and juices: Implications for the primary prevention of hypertension. | Dr. Norman Hord | ||
Hoan Vo | Veteran Aging: Longitudinal Study in Oregon project (VALOR). | Dr. Kathy Magnusson |
Trevor Nash |
The Adverse Effects of Light on Aging Drosophila View powerpoint presentation (pdf) |
Dr. Jaga Giebultowicz | ||
Nadjalisse Reynolds-Lallem |
Age-Related Differences In Spatial Memory Formation And Neural Activations in a New Morris Water Maze Task View powerpoint presentation (pdf) |
Dr. Catherine Magnusson | ||
Jeremy Chu |
Determining the Physiological Mechanisms of Improved Muscular Performance and Oxygen Consumption Induced By Dietary Nitrate View powerpoint presentation (pdf) |
Dr. Norman Hord | ||
Andrew Carl Drake |
Preservation of Female Fertility Using A Novel Model of Aging, The Nothobranchius Killifish View powerpoint presentation (pdf) |
Dr. Kate Shay | ||
Lauren Trevis |
Functional Status and Fall Risk among Older Adult Participants in Community-Based Exercise Programs View powerpoint presentation (pdf) |
Dr. Kathy Gunter |
Rachel Haesu Kim | The Effect of Light on Expression of Stress Responsiveness Genes During Aging | Dr. Jadwiga Gielbultowicz | ||
Nadjalisse Reynolds-Lallem | Age-Related Differences In Spatial Memory Formation And Neural Activations in a New Morris Water Maze Task | Dr. Catherine Magnusson |
Trenton Bevan | Development Of A Method To Estimate Total Polyphenol Consumption Using Urinary Phenolic Compounds By F-C Method In 96 Well Plates | Dr. Norman Hord | ||
Kelsey Caples | Protein Aggregation And Autophagy: A Story Of Longevity | Viviana Perez | ||
Aaron Sugiyama | The Characterization SASP Release In Aging Mammalian Livers | Dr. Tory Hagen | ||
Lilly Anderson | Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction In Older Adults | Dr. Carolyn Aldwin |
Katherine Anthony | Perceived Relevance And Utility Of Remote Health Monitoring Among Mexican-Origin And Caucasian Older Adult Heart Failure Patients And Their Informal Caregivers |
Dr. Carolyn Mendez-Luck and Dr. Ron Metoyer |
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Melissa McDougall | Mechanism For Neurological Consequences Of Chronic Vitamin E Deficiency |
Dr. Maret Traber and Dr. Kathy Magnusson |