Mentoring Undergraduates in Aging and Disparities Research: Hopkins USTAR

The Johns Hopkins Undergraduate Summer Training and Research Program (Hopkins USTAR) was a 2-year program funded by the National Institute on Aging R25 Advancing Diversity in Aging Research through Undergraduate Education. Hopkins USTAR was designed to provide undergraduate students primarily from underrepresented backgrounds in biomedical and behavioral science with interdisciplinary research training in aging and health disparities research. From 2023 to 2025, a total of 15 undergraduate students participated in faculty-mentored research projects, professional development, research education, and national research conferences. Program evaluation methods included pre- and post-program surveys and interviews. Results suggest that the Hopkins USTAR program significantly increased aspects of participants’ research self-efficacy and strengthened perceived science identity. Despite the early termination of Hopkins USTAR, the program's short-term outcomes indicate modest success in fostering positive feelings about science and preparing participants for graduate school. Continued follow-up to assess long-term program outcomes will be important to measure impact.