Old Red Ashbel Smith building on UTMB Health campus

The Sealy Center on Aging at UTMB HealthLeading Aging Research Since 1995

Welcome

The Sealy Center on Aging (SCOA) focuses on improving the health and well-being of older adults through interdisciplinary research, education, and community service by integrating the resources and activities relevant to aging at The University of Texas Medical Branch. SCOA also implements our research findings in hospitals and clinics, bringing excellence and visibility to our health care system, and improving the health of older adults.

Associated Research Programs:

Contact Us

Sealy Center on Aging (SCOA)
301 University Blvd.
Galveston, TX 77555-0177
Directions and Maps
Phone: (409) 747-0008
Email: aging.research@utmb.edu

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News & Events

News from the Sealy Center on Aging

  • Sealy Center on Aging Welcomes New Director, Dr. Melissa Morrow

    July 1, 2025, 10:50 AM by SCOA

    UTMB Health is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Melissa (Missy) Morrow as Director of the Sealy Center on Aging. A renowned rehabilitation scientist and expert in aging and disability research, Dr. Morrow brings deep experience in translational science, biomechanics, and health technology. She currently serves as Co-Director of the NIA-funded Pepper Center at UTMB and will lead the center’s involvement in the new $5 million Healthy Aging and Technology (Age-Tech) Initiative. We thank Dr. Alan Landay for his exceptional service as interim director and look forward to the center’s continued growth under Dr. Morrow’s leadership.

  • Patient Education Programs (PEP) Now Available

    July 23, 2025, 14:30 PM by SCOA

    Are you an adult age 60+? Do you want to take control of your health and live an active, fulfilling life? Look no further – The Patient Education Programs (PEP) are here to support you! Interested? Visit www.utmb.edu/diabetes or contact cdprogram@utmb.edu.

  • Researchers Pioneer Personalised Thrombosis Risk Assessment with Innovative Device

    July 23, 2025, 07:00 AM by SCOA

    “Standard lab assays don’t capture the physical forces acting on blood inside constricted arteries,” UTMB Health’s Dr. Misbahud Din tells Dawn. The publication featured Din and Pepper Center Scholar Dr. Yunfeng Chen and their research into how physicians assess a patient’s risk of arterial blood clots.

  • photo of woman

    Even Grave Errors at Rehab Hospitals Go Unpenalized and Undisclosed

    July 22, 2025, 10:36 AM by SCOA

    A KFF Health News story on safety issues in rehab hospitals highlighted research by Dr. Chih-Ying Li, an aging research expert at UTMB Health. Her 2017 study found that for-profit rehab facilities were the only type linked to higher 30-day unplanned hospital readmissions among Medicare patients. Li noted the differences weren’t large, but the finding was consistent.

  • Andrew Murton, PhD

    Pepper Investigators Lecture Features Dr. Murton

    July 16, 2025, 15:23 PM by SCOA

    Please join us for the next Pepper Investigators Lecture: "Stronger for Longer: The Interplay Between Lifestyle, Muscle Metabolism, and Successful Aging," presented by Andrew Murton, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery on July 23, 2025 at noon in RSH 6.100 and via Teams. Lunch provided for those in person.

Areas of Research

SCOA brings together faculty from all UTMB Schools with expertise in research, education and clinical care related to aging. It provides the infrastructure and resources to ignite new collaborative translational research foci and support externally funded research on aging. It also supports educational programs on aging and geriatrics and outreach in the community. SCOA directly assists Core Investigators by providing support that includes: office space, editorial services, pilot funds, research infrastructure, and administration. 

Associated Programs

Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Women's Health (CIRWH)
Center of Excellence for Professional Advancement and Research (COEPAR)
Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center (Pepper OAIC)
Data Management and Analysis Core (DMAC) for Comparative Effectiveness Research on Cancer in Texas (CERCIT)
Health of Older Minorities Pre and Postdoctoral Training (T32)
Hispanic Established Population for the Epidemiological Study of the Elderly (Hispanic EPESE)
Medical Student in Aging Research Program (MSTAR)
Pan American Health Organization / World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO)
Texas Resource Center on Minority Aging Research (RCMAR)
The UTMB Center for Health-system Improvement (CHI)