UTMB Health Jenny Sealy Hospital
Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center

Continuously Funded Since 2000

Welcome

The UTMB Health Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center (OAIC) is the home of a diverse interdisciplinary team of investigators who are committed to advancing aging science. The Center supports investigators, research, and expertise in gerontology and geriatrics to accomplish the OAIC mission: To establish centers of excellence in geriatrics research and research education to increase scientific knowledge to better ways to maintain or restore independence in older persons.

Overall Accomplishments

Scholars Trained: +40
Publications: +860
Projects: +86

Contact Us

The UTMB Health Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center (OAIC)
301 University Blvd.
Galveston, TX 77555-0177
Directions and Maps
Phone: (409) 747-0008
Email: aging.research@utmb.edu

News & Events

  • Dr. Raji with medical staff and postdoc Dr. Copete

    Dr. Ana Ayala-Copete Completes WHO/PAHO Fellowship at Sealy Center on Aging

    July 2, 2025, 11:55 AM by SCOA

    The Sealy Center on Aging at UTMB Health recently hosted Dr. Ana Ayala-Copete as part of its collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). From February through June 2025, Dr. Ayala-Copete participated in a fellowship that advanced her research on aging and supported international efforts to improve the health of older populations.

  • 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.

  • group of three older adults, outdoors

    Reimagining Healthy Aging: What Matters to You?

    June 30, 2025, 14:50 PM by SCOA

    At The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB Health), we’re exploring what it really means to age well, from your perspective. We're looking for people ages 20 and up to take part in a new research study focused on how people of all ages think about health, aging, and the future of care. You’ll have the chance to share your personal experiences, ideas, and hopes in a one-on-one interview or small group conversation, with no medical tests or treatments involved.

  • Lawmakers made wise health care investments during recent session

    June 23, 2025, 15:49 PM by SCOA

    In a guest column for the Daily News, Dr. Jochen Reiser, president of UTMB and CEO of the UTMB Health System, wrote about the recently ended 89th Legislative Session in Austin and some of UTMB’s legislative wins. “At the University of Texas Medical Branch, we are thankful for these investments, both for the legislature’s vote of confidence for our Healthy Aging and Technology Initiative within our institution, and the broader establishment of the research institute, to fund competitive and thoughtful grants, for the betterment of all Texans,” Reiser writes.

  News & Event Archive

Events

July 22:
DMAC CERCIT Seminar - Corey Simon, PhD and Rebecca North, PhD
July 23:
Pepper Investigators Lecture - Andrew Murton, PhD
August 18:
OBIOS Open House

Leadership

Administration

  • Alexis King, MS
    Program Manager, Sealy Center on Aging, Phone: 409-772-9683, E-mail: alnking@utmb.edu
  • Roxana Hirst, MS, CCRP
    Lead Research Project Manager, Phone: 409-266-9641, E-mail: rmhirst@utmb.edu
  • Roxann Grover, MA
    Web Communications & Operations Manager, Phone: 409-772-3075, E-mail: rmgrover@utmb.edu
  All Current Participants

Associated Programs

Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center (Pepper OAIC)
Center for Health Promotion, Performance, and Rehabilitation Research (CHPPRR)
The UTMB Center for Health-system Improvement (CHI)
Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Women's Health (CIRWH)
Center of Excellence for Professional Advancement and Research (COEPAR)
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)

Social Media

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301 University Blvd. Galveston, TX 77555-0177 | p 409.747.0008 | f 409.772.8931 The Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center Award #P30-AG024832 is funded by the National Institute on Aging (NIA), part of the United States Department of Health and Human Services. Contact Roxann Grover, MA regarding updates to this content.