# Gerontology Enriching MSTEM (GEMSTEM) to Enhance Diversity in Aging

> **NIH NIH R25** · UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA · 2023 · $377,136

## Abstract

The Gerontology Enriching MSTEM (GEMSTEM) to Enhance Diversity in Aging
program will meet the challenges of the increasing size and diversity of the U.S. older population
by attracting, encouraging, and supporting undergraduates from diverse backgrounds –
especially racial and ethnic minorities and other health disparities populations – into careers in
aging research. We will provide these trainees with the skills and experience to pursue advanced
MSTEM degrees and research careers in aging by providing research training, education, career
development, mentoring, and peer socialization activities that emphasize integration between
geroscience and health disparities research. Our program is designed to overcome longstanding
financial, social support, and cultural barriers that have limited opportunities for diverse
undergraduates in aging research. The GEMSTEM program is a paid research and
professionalization opportunity over the entire four-year undergraduate experience. We will target
recruitment of underrepresented minority students from the USC student population, from
underrepresented minority serving 2-year and 4-year colleges, and from the local K-12 schools in
the greater LAUSD. GEMSTEM will create an undergraduate-centered geroscience research
community modeled for sustained program enhancement by the continuous assessment of
programmatic components by students, expert geroscience faculty, and professional staff.
 The goals of the GEMSTEM program are to (1) expand research access to emerging
undergraduate researchers from racial and ethnic minority and other health disparity populations
and (2) increase the number of researchers conducting gerontological research to reduce health
disparities in older adult populations. GEMSTEM aims include: (1) recruit a diverse group of
USC undergraduate students from Gerontology and other MSTEM degree programs, over the
entire undergraduate experience, to participate in GEMSTEM; (2) engage student participation
in active research on aging and introduce them to diversity in aging research through socialization
and engagement activities that will build passion for and commitment to a disparities-informed
geroscience; (3) facilitate structured education and research training opportunities in aging;
provide sustained mentorship; and prepare program participants for future success in graduate
and medical school research training and careers; and (4) create a community GEMSTEM
students and alumni to provide ongoing support as they embark into careers in MSTEM.
Importantly, The USC GEMSTEM Program will help NIA achieve its mission to promote diversity
in the scientific workforce and maintain its leadership in geroscience discovery and innovation.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10636912
- **Project number:** 5R25AG076400-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
- **Principal Investigator:** JENNIFER A AILSHIRE
- **Activity code:** R25 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $377,136
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2022-06-15 → 2027-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10636912

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10636912, Gerontology Enriching MSTEM (GEMSTEM) to Enhance Diversity in Aging (5R25AG076400-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10636912. Licensed CC0.

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