Clin-STAR Research Interest Groups
- Clin-STAR Inflammation Research Interest Group
- Clin-STAR Frailty Research Interest Group
- Clin-STAR Delirium Research Interest Group
- Clin-STAR Exercise and Lifestyle Medicine Research Interest Group
- Clin-STAR Aging and Perioperative Research Interest Group
- Clin-STAR Social Determinants of Health Research Interest Group
- Clin-STAR Biology of Aging Research Interest Group
- Clin-STAR R01/R21 Grant Writing Group
- Clin-STAR VA Researchers Interest Group
- Clin-STAR Psychosocial and Behavioral Research Group
- Clin-STAR Palliative Care Research Interest Group
- Clin-STAR Large Data Research Group
- Clin-STAR Post-Acute Care Research Interest Group
Clin-STAR Inflammation Research Interest Group
2025
Tues, March 11, 3-4 pm ET: Elena Myasoedova, MD, PhD
Wed, May 21, 3-4 pm ET: WIP with Rachel Litke and Anoop Sheshadri
Wed, September 10, 3-4 pm ET: with guest researcher Dr. Miles Berger
Wed, November 5, 3-4 pm ET: rescheduled
2026
Wed, January 14, 2026, 3-4 pm ET
Wed, March 25, 3-4 pm ET with Kenneth Schmader, MD: Vaccination research in older adults
Wed, May 27, 3-4 pm ET with Sebastian E. Sattui, MD, MS: The “Reducing Inflammation for Greater Health Trial (RIGHT)” Study
The Clin-STAR Inflammation Interest Group was created by a group of GEMSSTAR Scholars after participating in the 2021 Clin-STAR Annual Meeting. The intent of this interest group is to offer a small virtual, interactive, peer support forum to learn from both senior guest researchers and each other about inflammation and aging research, and to collaborate on projects. Early career clinician scientists from different specialties and disciplines are welcomed.
Co-Chairs: Adam Faye, MD, MS and Namrata Singh, MD, MSCI, FACP
If interested in joining, please contact: andrea@afar.org
Clin-STAR Frailty Research Interest Group
2025
Tues, February 25, 2-3 pm EST: Guest researcher: Dae Hyun Kim, MD, MPH, ScD
Wed, May 14, 2-3 pm EST: Work In Progress: LOGIC, with Adam Faye, MD, MS and Bharati Kochar, MD, MS
Tuesday, September 16, 3-4 pm EST: with guest Megan Huisingh Scheetz, MD
Wednesday, December 3, 3-4 pm EST with guest Juulia Jylhävä, PhD
Tuesday, April 28, 3-4 pm EST with guest Wren M. Burton, DC, MPH: The effect of cocoa extract and multivitamin supplementation on incident frailty and pre frailty: a secondary analysis
Tuesday, June 2, 3-4 pm EST with guest Andrea Wershof Schwartz, MD, MPH, AGSF: Age Friendly Health Sytems
The intent of the Clin-STAR Frailty Research Interest Group is to offer a virtual forum to learn from invited guest researchers to share experiences and expertise on frailty and aging research, with ample time for Q&A. Some meetings serve as more of a forum to share research projects and network. Clinician scientists from different specialties and disciplines are welcomed.
Co-Chairs: Adam Faye, MD, MS and Ariela R. Orkaby, MD, MPH
If interested in joining, please contact: andrea@afar.org.
Clin-STAR Delirium Research Interest Group
2025
Mon, March 10, 3-4 pm ET: Robert Sanders, BSc, MBBS, PhD, DABA, FRCA
Mon, April 28, 3-4 pm ET: Manish Shah, MD, MPH
Mon, June 2, 3-4 pm ET: Sarinnapha "Fah" Vasunilashorn, PhD
Mon, September 8, 3-4 pm ET: works in progress sharing (Dr. Mikita Fuchita)
Monday, November 3, 3-4 pm ET: John Devlin, PharmD/NIDUS - NIDUS Overview Slides
2026
Mon, Jan 12, 3-4 pm ET: Chris Carpenter, MD "Leveraging AltMetrics for Grants and Promotions"
Mon, March 16, 3-4 pm ET: works in progress with Joe Hippensteel, MD
The Clin-STAR Delirium Interest Group was initiated by GEMSSTAR Scholars who are passionate about studying delirium, who met at the 2022 Clin-STAR Annual Meeting. The goals of the interest group are to provide a supportive forum for Early-Stage Investigators to network across clinical disciplines, to share works in progress, learn from senior experts in the field, and collaborate on scholarly projects. The group will work synergistically with the NIDUS network and the American Delirium Society. Clinician scientists from different specialties and disciplines are welcomed.
Co-Chairs: Sara LaHue, MD and Heidi L. Lindroth, PhD, RN
If interested in joining, please contact: andrea@afar.org
Clin-STAR Exercise and Lifestyle Medicine Research Interest Group
2025
Wed, April 9, 4-5pm ET: with guest researcher John A. Batsis, MD
Wed, June 4, 4-5pm ET: with guest researcher Brienne Miner, MD, MHS
Tues, Sept 9, 4-5 pm ET: with guest researcher Charity Patterson, PhD, MSPH (ELM Pilot Studies Slides)
Tues, Oct 21, 4-5 pm ET: works in progress by Becca Lassell, PhD, OTR/L
Tues, Dec 2, 4-5 pm ET: Gerofit with Katherine S. Hall, Ph.D.
2026
Tues, Jan 20, 4-5 pm ET: with guest Neil B. Alexander, MD
Tues, March 3, 4-5 pm ET: with guest Megan Huisingh Scheetz, MD: Imagining the Future of Geriatrics Care With Technology
Tues, May 12, 4-5 pm ET: with guests Dae Hyun Kim, MD, MPH, ScD and Kuan-Yuan Wang, MD, PhD: Multi-Component Prehabilitation Program for Older Adults Undergoing Major Elective Surgery: A Pilot and Feasibility Study
The Clin-STAR Exercise and Lifestyle Medicine Interest Group has been formed by members of the Clin-STAR community for those with aging research interests in exercise, function, nutrition, sleep, etc. The goals of the group are to provide a supportive forum for Early-Stage Investigators to network across clinical disciplines to share research works in progress, review specific aims by members, learn from senior experts in the field, and perhaps collaborate on a group project such as a webinar, paper or symposium. Clinician scientists from different specialties and disciplines are welcomed.
Co-Chairs: Brian Andonian, MD, MHSc and Becca Lassell, PhD, OTR/L
Incoming Co-Chairs: Laura A. Baehr, PT, DPT, PhD and Sarah B. Lieber, MD, MS
If interested in joining, please contact: andrea@afar.org
Clin-STAR Perioperative Research Interest Group
2025
Thursday, February 13, 2025, 4-5 pm ET: Rebecca Sudore, MD and Elizabeth Wick, MD
Thursday, April 3, 4-5 pm ET: Getting That Grant (group sharing and discussion)
Thursday, June 12, 4-5 pm ET: Christopher Hughes, MD
Thursday, September 4, 4-5 pm ET: Emma Barber, MD, MS
Thursday, November 6, 4-5 pm ET: works in progress/group paper discussion
Thursday, December 11, 4-5 pm ET: with Stacie G. Deiner, MD, MS: Navigating a Research Career in Uncertain Times
2026
Thursday, February 5, 4-5 pm ET: Pitching your research in 1 minute
Thursday, May 28, 4-5 pm ET with Courtney Balentine, MD, Practical Introduction to Incorporating Artificial Intelligence in Research
The goals of the group are to provide a supportive forum for early-stage surgical and anesthesia investigators to network across clinical specialties, to share clinical/research challenges through consultancies, discuss funding, and research works in progress, and to learn from peers and senior experts in the field.
Co-Chairs: Maria Lucia Madariaga, MD, Daniel Rubin, MD, Julia Berian, MD, MS
Group Mentor: Gretchen Schwarze, MD, MPP, FACS
If interested in joining this group, please contact: andrea@afar.org
Clin-STAR Social Determinants of Health Research Interest Group
2025
March 21, 12-1pm EST: open discussion: current state of funding
May 2, 12-1pm EST: group updates and open discussion
September 12, 12-1 pm EST: Discussion with Alison A. Moore, MD, MPH, FACP
October 24, 12-1 pm EST
2026
January 9, 12-1 pm EST
March 6, 12-1 pm EST: Research Sharing and Discussion
May 8, 12-1 pm EST: Recruitment Strategies in Different Communities with Drs. Ayo Bankole, David Camacho, and Angela Groves.
September 18, 12-1 pm EST: Using the Geriatric 5Ms to teach structural and social determinants of health with Dr. Rachel K. Miller
Programming depends on group interests and includes members sharing works in progress, guest researchers, consultancies, and work on a group paper or symposium. Clinician scientists from different specialties and disciplines are welcomed.
2026 Co-Chairs: Ece Bayram, MD, PhD, Angela Groves, PhD, RN-BC, CNE, and Rachel Litke, MD, PhD
Group Mentors: Alison A. Moore, MD, MPH, FACP and Roland J. Thorpe, Jr, PhD
If interested in joining, please contact Andrea Sherman at andrea@afar.org.
Clin-STAR Biology of Aging Research Interest Group
2025
Tues, March 4, 3-4 pm ET: Where’s the Money? Exploring Diverse Funding Streams for Aging Research (speaker panel with Q&A)
Tues, May 20, 3-4 pm ET: Discussion with Dr. George Kuchel
Tues, October 21, 3-4 pm ET: works in progress by Yinan Zhang, MD, MS
2026
Tues, January 6, 3-4 pm ET with guest Sara E. Espinoza, MD
Tues, February 24, 3-4 pm ET with guest Ruth Montgomery, PhD: SenNet Consortium Overview and Resources
Tuesday, April 21, 3-4 pm ET: Works in progress sharing for group input
The goal of the Clin-STAR Biology of Aging Research Interest Group is to provide a forum within the Clin-STAR community to discuss and focus on biological mechanisms that contribute to aging and age-associated diseases. These include the Hallmarks of Aging (inflammation, genomic instability, cellular senescence, etc), as well as other unidentified cellular and molecular mechanisms. The group is open to all who are interested in discussing and learning more about the Biology of Aging. We hope that this forum will lead to collaborations that will ultimately advance research in the fields of Aging Biology and Translational Geroscience.
Co-chairs: Heidi J. Zapata, MD, PhD, Jason Roh, MD, MHS, and Mina S. Sedrak, MD, MS
If interested in joining, please contact andrea@afar.org.
Clin-STAR R01/R21 Grant Writing Group
The goal of the Clin-STAR R01/R21 Grant Writing Group is to develop a supportive community that will help current and former Beeson awardees and other clinician scientists interested in aging research to develop successful R-level grant applications. Each month, those who are interested in presenting can submit a grant at any stage of development (aims page, partially or fully written grant, resubmission, etc). We will coordinate with session leader, presenters and volunteer peer reviewers (other presenters who will be peer reviewers) to find a date and time where everyone can meet for a mock study section in which up to 4 grants will be reviewed by a max of 3 reviewers per grant. In addition to the peer reviewers, each group will also include a session leader (i.e., one senior Beeson alumni or a Clin-STAR leader). Additional groups will be formed based on interest. Individuals are welcome to submit the same grant to multiple sessions for ongoing support and feedback or to submit new grants to different sessions to help develop multiple ideas until they are ready for submission.
Clin-STAR R01/R21 Grant Writing Group Process
Facilitator/Chair: Courtney Balentine
If interested, please contact andrea@afar.org.
HELPFUL RESOURCES
NIH Peer Review: "Live" Mock Study Section
Writing effective critiques for NIH research applications
Additional Scoring Guidance for Research Applications
Rigor and Transparency: Main Goals
NIH Simplified Peer Review Framework
ART - Assisted Referral Tool (nih.gov)
Clin-STAR VA Researchers Interest Group
2025
Fridays
February 14, 3-4 pm EST: VHA/GRECC Q&A
March 21, 3-4 pm EST: guest Daniel E. Hall, MD, MDiv, MHSc, FACS
May 16, 3-4 pm EST: Leveraging VA Funding with Constance H. Fung, MD, MSHS
September 19, 3-4 pm EST: VAFI with Ariela R. Orkaby, MD, MPH
October 17 or November 7: TBD
November 7, 3-4 pm ET: Works in progress sharing
December 5, 3-4 pm EST with Richard H. Lee, MD: From Prevention to Preservation: The Evolution of a Comprehensive Bone Health Program for Older Veterans
2026
February 6, 3-4 pm ET: Age-Friendly Care at the VA--inventory of different sites
April 17, 3-4 pm ET: with Daniel E. Forman, MD who will discuss his research in cardiac rehab and his thoughts on the direction of aging research within the VA
May 15, 3-4 pm ET: AGS follow-up* and discussion on survey re: Age-Friendly Care at the VA (*For those attending the virtual AGS meeting, we would welcome your sharing a couple take-away highlights with the group!)
Tuesday, June 2, 3-4 pm EST with guest Andrea Wershof Schwartz, MD, MPH, AGSF: Age Friendly Health Sytems at the VA
The goal of the Clin-STAR VA Researchers Interest Group is to provide a transdisciplinary forum within the Clin-STAR community, bringing together VA-based researchers to idea share/collaborate around aging research within the VA and support each other navigating research opportunities in the VA. This could also serve as a space where we share what it looks like to apply for and receive VA-based funding, and possibly lead to a group paper and/or research collaboration. Through the group, we can collaborate and learn together as to ensure continued funding of aging-related research during the ORD restructuring.
Co-chairs: Una Makris, MD and Katherine Wysham, MD
Mentor: Daniel Forman, MD
If interested in joining, please contact andrea@afar.org
Clin-STAR Psychosocial and Behavioral Research Group
The Clin-STAR Psychosocial and Behavioral Research Group is open to all members of the Clin-STAR community with transdisciplinary research interests in mental health, social relationships, health behaviors, and other psychosocial topic areas. The group's objectives are to offer a supportive space for Early-Stage Investigators to present and review research projects across all stages of development, gain insights from senior investigators, and foster collaborations across various disciplines. We aim to facilitate partnerships that could lead to joint grant submissions, publications, and presentations.
Schedule to date:
Thursday, April 10, 2025, 2-3 pm ET: Spring Fling virtual gathering
Thursday, June 12, 3-4 pm ET: works in progress
Thursday, August 14, 3-4 pm ET: works in progress
Thursday, September 18, 3-4 pm ET: works in progress
Thursday, October 23, 3-4 pm ET: rescheduled
Thursday, December 11, 3-4 pm ET: guest Angela Jefferson, PhD
February 5, 2026, 3-4 pm ET: guest Chandra Keller, EdD, MPH, MPP, NIH/NIA, Division of Behavioral and Social Research
April 9, 3-4 pm ET: Works in Progress sharing
Co-Chairs: Jennifer D. Portz, PhD, MSW and Evan Plys, PhD
If interested in joining, please contact andrea@afar.org
Clin-STAR Palliative Care Research Interest Group
Monday, June 23, 2025, 2-3 pm EST: Introductions and planning discussion
Monday, September 8, 4-5 pm ET: Jean Kutner, MD, MPH/MSPH/ASCENT Consortium (recording)
Monday, October 27, 4-5 pm ET: works in progress
Monday, December 8, 4-5 pm ET: with guest R. Sean Morrison, MD: Building the Future of Palliative Care Research: A Personal Journey Through the World of Health Policy
2026
Monday, January 26, 4-5 pm ET: Speed Sharing Your Research
Wednesday, March 25, 2-3 pm ET: Making the most of your K-award/early faculty years with Dr. Krista Harrison
Monday, May 11, 4-5 pm ET: J. Nicholas Odom, PhD, RN
The Clin-STAR Palliative Care Research Group is open to all members of the Clin-STAR community with an interest in hospice and palliative care for older adults dealing with serious illness and debility. The group’s objectives are to offer a supportive space for early-stage investigators to network across disciplines, present and review research projects at all stages of development, gain insights from peers and senior investigators, and collaborate on scholarly projects.
Co-Chairs: Lauren Hunt, PhD, RN, FNP and Rebecca Rodin, MD, MSc
If interested in joining, please contact andrea@afar.org
Clin-STAR Large Data Research Group
2025
June 18, 11-12 am ET: intros/planning
September 11, 1-2 pm ET: works in progress
October 30, 1-2 pm ET: works in progress
December 4, 1-2 pm ET
2026
Thursday, February 5, 1-2 pm ET: Synthesizing interests and resources for collaboration
Thursday, March 26, 1-2 pm ET: Informing Clinical Practice with European Data with Dr. Luca Soraci, Chair of the Big Data Special Interest Group, European Geriatric Medicine Society
Thursday, May 14, 1-2 pm ET
The Clin-STAR Large Data Research Group is designed for members of the Clin-STAR community interested in leveraging large databases, including claims data (e.g., Medicare), survey data, and Electronic Health Records (EHR), to advance aging research. The group aims to provide a collaborative environment for Early-Stage Investigators to share resources, discuss methodological approaches, and receive feedback on projects utilizing these rich data sources. Our objectives include fostering interdisciplinary collaborations, enhancing data analysis skills, and supporting research initiatives that can lead to joint publications, grant proposals, and presentations. Through this group, we seek to facilitate impactful research that improves health outcomes for older adults using real-world data.
Co-Chairs: Chan Mi Park, MD, MPH and Kevin T. Pritchard, OT, PhD, OTR
If interested in joining, please contact andrea@afar.org
Clin-STAR Post-Acute Care Research Interest Group
The goal of the Clin-STAR Post-Acute Care (PAC) Research Working Group is to provide a dedicated forum for researchers focusing on health services, outcomes, and quality of care across various PAC settings, including skilled nursing facilities, home health, inpatient rehabilitation facilities, and long-term acute care hospitals. The group aims to foster a collaborative environment where members can share research ideas, methodologies, and preliminary findings specific to the unique challenges of PAC. This group is open to all who are dedicated to discussing and learning more about PAC to ultimately advance the rigorous research necessary to improve the health and well-being of older adults in these settings.
2026
Thursday, February 12, 4-5 pm ET: Planning Meeting
Thursday, April 9, 4-5 pm ET
Thursday, June 4, 4-5 pm ET
Co-Chairs: James Deardorff, MD, and Sandra Shi, MD, MPH
If interested in joining, please contact andrea@afar.org