The Alicia and Yaya Initiative in Global Aging Research is proud to award four Seed Grants and one Development Grant to researchers from the University of Costa Rica (UCR) and the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB). A University of Maryland School of Graduate Studies program in the fields of gerontology and aging, the initiative supports international, comparative, and bidirectional approaches to aging research with an emphasis on scholars who will take aging research into the future, which it does through the grant program as well as a Fellowship program.
The Seed Grants are designed to enhance existing partnerships between UMB and UCR researchers, emphasizing international, comparative, and bidirectional research.
Comparative Analysis of Medication Therapy Management (MTM) Programs for Older Adults in Costa Rica and the United States: Centro Nacional de Información de Medicamentos and The Peter Lamy Center on Drug Therapy and Aging
Nicole Brandt, PharmD, MBA, Professor, Department of Practice, Sciences, and Health Outcomes Research, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy
María Laura Bonilla Acosta, PharmD, MS, University of Costa Rica School of Pharmacy
Evaluation of Environmental and Occupational Exposures Contributing to Epigenetic Aging and Gastric Cancer Susceptibility in a High-Risk Costa Rican Population
Jeremy Davis, MD, Peter Angelos Distinguished Professor of Surgery and Chief of the Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Maryland School of Medicine
Warner Alpízar Alpízar, PhD, Professor of Biochemistry, University of Costa Rica
DeepDXA: Software Infrastructure for AI-Driven Global Aging Research and Fracture Risk Assessment from Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry
Denise Orwig, PhD, Professor, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine
Francisco Siles Canales, PhD, Professor and Director, Human Movement Sciences Research Center, University of Costa Rica
Alice Ryan, PhD, Professor, University of Maryland School of Medicine
T Cell Receptor Repertoire and Immunosenescence Signatures in Older Adults from the Upala-Guatuso-Los Chiles High-Longevity Zone of Costa Rica
Isaac Quirós Fernández, PhD, Professor and Researcher, Faculty of Microbiology, University of Costa Rica
Elana Fertig, PhD, FAIMBE, Professor and Director, Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine
The Development Grants help create the initial framework for future partnerships and collaboration. They are awarded to projects that build a UMB/UCR partnership, which can later apply for a Seed Grant or other extramural funding.
Preserving Mobility and Muscle in Aging Adults Through Engagement in Group-Based Exercise
Julie Rekant, DPT, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, University of Maryland School of Medicine
Isaura Castillo Hernández, PhD, Associate Professor, University of Costa Rica School of Physical Education and Sports, Human Movement Science Research Center