The ACOA (Arizona Center on Aging) MSTEM (Medicine, Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) THRIVE Program offers substantively focused, structured, longitudinal, mentored research education to University of Arizona (UA) undergraduates (Freshman through Seniors) from groups underrepresented in the health sciences (URHS). These groups include, students of Latino, African American and American Indian/Native American (AI/NA) descent, those from the U.S- México border region and other rural areas, those from disadvantaged backgrounds and those with disabilities.

The program is supported by the National Institute of Aging (R25AG076387:  NIA MSTEM: Advancing Diversity in Aging Research through Undergraduate Education https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-20-317.html). 

The project goal is to increase the diversity of the research workforce in aging by creating a cadre of qualified undergraduate students from groups URHS entering PhD programs with intent to pursue biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research careers focused on the theme of improving the health and well-being of older adults in diverse populations. The objectives are to: 

• Develop and sustain undergraduate student interest, involvement, and retention leading to commitment to a research career focused on the theme;
• Develop, sustain and support undergraduate student engagement in research on the theme by providing students with distinct hands-on experience, requisite knowledge and research skills; and
• Facilitate and sustain undergraduate student progress toward achieving career goals

If students enroll as freshman, the program offers 17 suggested credits of coursework.  Nine credits focus on the topic of aging; eight focus on the topic of research including hands-on, mentored research experience (see chart below).  In addition, there are optional research experiences students can enroll in such as a Summer Research Intensive, which includes a stipend.  There are also optional experiences planned to enrich students’ knowledge about aging and aging research such as service-learning projects, monthly seminars, monthly interest group meetings, attendance at a national conference on aging, a yearly student research day and an on-line learning community.  Many of these experiences are designed to assist students in becoming ready to apply to graduate programs.  If students, including transfer students, choose to enroll later in their college career than freshman year, individual course plans will be designed based on their career goals.

Each student will be assigned a faculty advisor depending on their interests and career goals and will be matched with a research mentor.  They will be kept aware of University of Arizona funding opportunities for undergraduate research and assisted with writing applications. An academic coach and peer-mentors will also be available. 

The ACOA MSTEM THRIVE Program is flexible in that it can be tailored to accommodate students’ interests in almost any type of research (biomedical, behavioral and/or clinical) so long as the research goal is to improved health and well-being of older adult in diverse populations.  It can accommodate different program entry points from Freshman to Senior year.  It also provides students in underrepresented groups, an avenue for addressing health disparities that may be of concern in their own families and communities.

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Suggested Course Sequence