LIFE Scholars Summer Research Program

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.

Overview

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:

 

 

Eligibility

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.

 

Award Information

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.

 

Use of Funds

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).

Budget Items ELIGIBLE for support

  • Student salaries or wages
  • Travel by LIFE scholar to conduct research
  • Library costs (e.g., duplication costs, acquisition of reference materials)
  • Expendable materials and supplies

Budget Items NOT ELIGIBLE for support

  • Faculty or postdoctoral student travel
  • Equipment purchases
  • Costs to prepare, copy or bind theses
  • Travel to meetings or conference

 

Application Procedure

You will need

You will need to complete survey questions, upload the application form and the following documents (as PDF or Word Doc).

  • Completed LIFE Scholars application form (docx)
    • Please note that DocuSign is an option for an applicant’s electronic signature on the form. Other methods, such as scanning a signed copy, are allowed.
  • Resume (including GPA and transcript (unofficial))
  • Letter of support from faculty project advisor
    • Brief support letter, indicating willingness to mentor and availability of matching funds
  • Proposal (Project Description & Synergy)
  • The files must have the name of the applicant in the title.

 

Submit application

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.

 

Research Compliance

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.

 

Deadlines

All application materials, including supporting documentation, be emailed by 5 p.m. by the deadline indicated at the beginning of this announcement.

 

Review Procedure

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.

 

Review Criteria

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)

 

Scholarly Merit

  • What is the relevance of the project to aging research?
  • Would funding this project create a professional experience for the student that might not otherwise be accessible?
  • What educational/experiential benefits will the student gain?
  • Is the project interesting?
  • Will the proposed activity significantly expand or diversify the student’s or scholarly base?

 

Nature of Proposal

  • Does the proposal provide a clear statement of overall project objectives?
  • Does the proposal provide a clear statement of the student’s role?
  • Does the proposal provide independent research study for the student?
  • Are the proposed methods appropriate and accurate?
  • Is the text of the proposal well written?
  • Is the personal data well-prepared?

 

Leverage

  • Will the project create opportunities to continue the research/scholarly experience for the student beyond the Center for Healthy Aging Research funding period?
  • Will the project help position the student to pursue further scholarly, professional, creative opportunities (e.g., graduate school)?

 

Other Considerations

  • Is the student’s future educational or career plan related to the field of aging?
  • Is this a new research experience for the student?
  • Student GPA
  • Has the student received funding from other OSU research sources?

 

Other Requirements

Information regarding research compliance

If more information regarding research compliance is needed, refer to the following:

 

Required statement

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."

 

Final Reports and Presentations

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.

 

Congratulations to the previous LIFE Scholars

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!

2022 LIFE Scholars Awardees

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

Jimena Caballero Ignacio

Women’s Experience with Interval Breast Cancer.

Advisor: Veronica Irvin

Trent Henderson

The Role of Vitamin E in the Prevention of Sarcopenia.

Advisor: Maret Traber

Benjamin Ramsell

Exploring genetic bases of negative effects of blue light on fruit fly lifespan.

Advisor: Jaga Giebultowicz

Matthew Frischman

Determining expression of neuronal N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor (NMDAR) proteins in mice treated chronically with ibuprofen.

Advisor: Kathy Magnusson

Rujul Kumar
  • “Role of Vitamin B2 in protection from Blue Light Damage.”
  • Mentor: Dr. Jaga Giebultowicz
Dan MacMurchy
  • “The Role of Mitochondria in Dendritic Branching and Spinal Density.”
  • Mentor: Dr. Tory Hagen
Kelsey Shimoda
  • “Altering metabolic gene expression in fruit flies: Effects on longevity and brain aging.”
  • Mentor: Dr. Jaga Giebultowicz
Leda Liko
  • Early changes in NMDA receptor expression and localization in an AD mouse model
  • Dr. Kathy Magnusson
Kendra Braun
  • Effects of zinc status and age on liver inflammation
  • Dr. Emily Ho
Grace Ross
  • The role of Nrf2 in brain cellular senescence
  • Dr. Viviana Perez
Amani Hawash
  • The role of heat shock proteins in protecting aging flies from the effect of blue light
  • Dr. Jaga Giebultowicz
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
Melissa McDougall Mechanism For Neurological Consequences Of Chronic Vitamin E Deficiency Dr. Maret Traber and
Dr. Kathy Magnusson

Past Posters, Presentations and Research

  • Sada Egenriether
    (View Powerpoint Presentation)
  • Jeremy Northway
    (View Powerpoint Presentation)
  • Nicole Rinaldi
    (View Powerpoint Presentation)
  • Silia Sequeira
    (View Presentation pdf)
  • Christopher Martin. Wearable Multi-Sensors for Noninvasive Fatigue Monitoring. View Presentation (pdf)
  • Nick Meermeier, Natrak Krishnan, Jadwiga M Giebultowicz: Mutation in clock gene period increases susceptibility to oxidative stress in aging Drosophila melanogaster. View Poster (pdf)
  • Cathy Couey: Better Bones and Balance: Evaluation of a bone and falls specific community-based exercise program. View poster (pdf)
  • Caitlyn DeMars: Familiarity, Acceptance, and ease of use in communications and monitoring technologies that facilitate healthy aging in place. View poster (pdf)
  • Monica Juarez-Hernandez and Torrie Dowdy: Integrative Analysis of Longitudinal Studies on Aging (IALSA).(View pdf)