Students Targeting Aging Research (STAR)

The Centre on Aging hosts Students Targeting Aging Research (STAR) meetings for students attending the University of Manitoba.

Next STAR meeting

STAR meetings are normally scheduled from September–November and January–March during the academic year. Meetings are being hosted virtually.

Upcoming meeting

University of Manitoba students, join us for our April Students Targeting Aging Research (STAR) meeting! 

Friday April 16, 2021
2:00 – 3:00 pm
Meeting via Zoom. RSVP for Zoom meeting information: star@umanitoba.ca

Download meeting poster (PDF)

The Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging: Overview and research opportunities

We are featuring a talk by Dr. Verena Menec, Professor, Community Health Sciences. Dr. Menec is also the Manitoba site lead of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA), the largest study on aging ever conducted in Canada. 

Dr. Menec will provide an overview of the CLSA which involves about 50,000 people aged 45–85 at time of recruitment, and follows them for at least 20 years. The study collects information on the changing biological, medical, psychological, social, lifestyle, and economic aspects of people’s lives as they age, and includes COVID-specific information. Students will learn about the CLSA, how data may be accessed for future studies and thesis projects, and students will be invited to ask questions.

Connect with STAR

The Centre on Aging hosts the STAR group for students attending the University of Manitoba. The aim of STAR is to provide students, whose interest is in aging related topics, with an opportunity to actively engage and connect with one another, discuss shared interests, network with peers, learn about current issues in gerontology from researchers and practitioners in aging, and stay up-to-date on aging related topics using an interdisciplinary perspective.

Gerontology is a diverse and complex field. By 2031, it is projected that the 65- to 74-year-olds will account for nearly 11 per cent of Manitoba’s population. And by 2036, the number of Manitobans aged 75 to 84 is projected to near 125,000.

At the University of Manitoba, Centre on Aging Research Affiliates represent 11 diverse, interdisciplinary faculties. Aging issues require the collaboration and teamwork of individuals from different backgrounds. Through networking, students can make connections with like-minded individuals who share the same interests in aging.

Sign up for the STAR mailing list

If you are interested in staying up to date on future STAR meetings and opportunities, email the co-leads at star@umanitoba.ca to be included on the mailing list.

Students must provide their current UM email addresses as per the University of Manitoba's student email policy.

Meet the STAR co-leads

STAR is co-lead by student representatives from both campuses. Courtney Addison (Fort Garry) and Lisette Danserau (Bannatyne) are available to answer any questions students may have about joining the group.

  • Courtney is the students targeting aging research co-lead representative on the fort garry campus.

  • Fort Garry STAR co-lead

    Courtney Addison is a second-year Master’s student in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management. Her research focuses on how movement performance can improve in dementia patients using music therapy. Courtney decided to complete her master's in this field because of her Papa. “He inspired me based on the effect music had on him. The impact it made on his quality of life and overall mood was incredible and it got me thinking, ‘What was going on inside his brain to create such a drastic change?’ One moment he was aggressive, and the other moment he was calm as Frank Sinatra sings through the record player. He helped me realize my true calling: to help those with dementia improve their independence and quality of life through the power of music.”

    Courtney has a Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology from the University of Manitoba and volunteers with the Minds in Motion program.

  • Lisette is the students targeting aging research co-lead representative on the Bannatyne campus.

  • Bannatyne STAR co-lead

    Doctoral candidate Lisette Dansereau is the University of Manitoba’s student representative. Lisette is a student in the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences studying home care policy. Her background is in the Social Sciences, where she is interested in better understanding how broader society shapes the experiences of individuals as they navigate through life.

    On a national level, Student Connection – Connexion Étudiante (SC-CÉ) is a national network for students interested in aging issues. The SC-CÉ is organized by student members of the Canadian Association on Gerontology (CAG).

Get credit for participating and volunteering!

University of Manitoba students who participate in STAR meetings and volunteer at the Centre on Aging's Spring Research Symposium may be eligible to receive credit for participation and volunteering.

Four students volunteer at the registration desk during the spring research symposium.

Eligibility

Students who wish to pursue credit for Volunteerism and participation must complete 10 approved hours of combined attendance of STAR meetings and volunteering (registration desk, session chair, assisting symposium attendees, etc.) at the Spring Research Symposium.

Official recognition will be provided through the University of Manitoba's Co-Curricular Record (CCR). The STAR group is officially recognized as a CCR program.

To start earning credit, students need to:

  1. Log in to careerCONNECT to create an account if you already haven’t.
  2. Select UM Students and enter your UM credentials
  3. Search for “STAR” to find the Students Targeting Aging Research listings
  4. Follow the prompts to sign up as a STAR member.

Other organizations and groups

UM students can connect with other students interested in aging through national organizations: