Summer of Translational Aging Research for Undergraduates (STAR U)
![STAR U group photo 2022](https://www.neurology.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_200_16_9/public/media/images/2022-12/staru-group-photo-2022.jpg?itok=OVM9Zlp0 200w, https://www.neurology.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_260_16_9/public/media/images/2022-12/staru-group-photo-2022.jpg?itok=8jHx79_e 260w, https://www.neurology.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_320_16_9/public/media/images/2022-12/staru-group-photo-2022.jpg?itok=n-D968v6 320w, https://www.neurology.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_400_16_9/public/media/images/2022-12/staru-group-photo-2022.jpg?itok=tbBEiPaT 400w, https://www.neurology.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_520_16_9/public/media/images/2022-12/staru-group-photo-2022.jpg?itok=3oRKpSx5 520w, https://www.neurology.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_640_16_9/public/media/images/2022-12/staru-group-photo-2022.jpg?itok=q8NRdrcg 640w, https://www.neurology.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_800_16_9/public/media/images/2022-12/staru-group-photo-2022.jpg?itok=AHlIN3LS 800w, https://www.neurology.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_1040_16_9/public/media/images/2022-12/staru-group-photo-2022.jpg?itok=toikG3TZ 1040w, https://www.neurology.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_1280_16_9/public/media/images/2022-12/staru-group-photo-2022.jpg?itok=Ot921uht 1280w, https://www.neurology.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_1600_16_9/public/media/images/2022-12/staru-group-photo-2022.jpg?itok=i610eYGg 1600w)
Program Overview
The Summer of Translational Aging Research for Undergraduates (STAR U) Program is a 2-month fully-funded research training program designed to encourage students from diverse and underrepresented communities to pursue further studies and careers in aging and neuroscience related research.
STAR U is funded by a grant from the National Institute on Aging, Advancing Diversity in Aging Research (ADAR) through Undergraduate Education (R25). STAR U also receives funding from the Alzheimer's Association. The program is based at the Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUIMC), as part of the Department of Neurology and the Taub Institute for Alzheimer’s disease and the Aging Brain.
Through a semi-structured summer research program, STAR U will provide 12-15 students per year with:
- Mentorship from Columbia faculty members on an individualized research project in the field of neuroscience and aging research
- A range of additional learning opportunities including a seminar series, journal clubs, lectures, and shadowing opportunities
- Professional networking and social events to foster a sense of community and mentorship that will extend beyond the STAR U program
![star u group photo](https://www.neurology.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_200/public/media/images/2021-10/star-u-2021-group-photo1.jpg?itok=ZTco2EBw 200w, https://www.neurology.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_260/public/media/images/2021-10/star-u-2021-group-photo1.jpg?itok=2nREG057 260w, https://www.neurology.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_320/public/media/images/2021-10/star-u-2021-group-photo1.jpg?itok=ulr6mWKh 320w, https://www.neurology.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_400/public/media/images/2021-10/star-u-2021-group-photo1.jpg?itok=C-2kTJQT 400w, https://www.neurology.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_520/public/media/images/2021-10/star-u-2021-group-photo1.jpg?itok=MedO_xdY 520w, https://www.neurology.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_640/public/media/images/2021-10/star-u-2021-group-photo1.jpg?itok=VG8pnEns 640w, https://www.neurology.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_800/public/media/images/2021-10/star-u-2021-group-photo1.jpg?itok=9bC3dHy4 800w, https://www.neurology.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_1040/public/media/images/2021-10/star-u-2021-group-photo1.jpg?itok=aezIM5jA 1040w, https://www.neurology.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_1280/public/media/images/2021-10/star-u-2021-group-photo1.jpg?itok=AbtWbYe2 1280w, https://www.neurology.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_1600/public/media/images/2021-10/star-u-2021-group-photo1.jpg?itok=5oOQD9R5 1600w)
Research experiences are augmented by training, lectures, seminar series, journal clubs, career development activities, and social events to provide an enriching and thought-provoking growth experience, culminating with a final research symposium in which students present their summer research projects. In addition to the summer activities, we strive to keep in touch with STAR U scholars throughout their academic and professional development through lasting mentorship and other collaborative, supportive relationships.
This summer, we will be welcoming the 6th cohort of 10-12 scholars to the STAR U Program. To see examples of projects of previous STAR U Scholars, see STAR U Alumni Bios.