Alliance of Researchers in Aging
Texas State University
The Alliance of Researchers in Aging (ARIA) supports networking opportunities and interdisciplinary research in aging, including research on cognition, cognitive decline and dementia, mental health, care-giving, and physical, social, and spiritual well-being.
ARIA is especially committed to research aimed at enhancing well-being in the later stages of the life course and applying research to help older adults in central Texas and beyond through educational opportunities and partnerships with community stakeholders.
News and Media Recognition
Dr. Sangchul Hwang’s (Environmental and Water Resources Engineering) study on the health impact of PFAS on firefighters was recently featured in the Dallas Express. https://dallasexpress.com/state/texas-professor-leads-groundbreaking-pfas-study/
Dr. Carmen Westerberg’s (Psychology) research on how naps can strengthen creative problem-solving was recently featured in PsyPost, Medical Daily, and Toronto’s CP24 segment “Top stories in the world of science with Dan Riskin.”
PsyPost: https://www.psypost.org/a-short-nap-boosts-problem-solving-by-strengthening-hidden-connections/#google_vignette
Medical Daily: https://www.medicaldaily.com/cant-solve-problem-sleep-itits-backed-science-heres-best-nap-better-thinking-473087
CP24: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qO-fZmo1DF8
Dr. Joe Kotarba was recently awarded the Senior ECSOC Fellowship, University of Lodz, Poland (2024-2025), to research the evolving music culture and experiences among seniors who were instrumental in the Polish revolution of 1998-99 in comparison to his recent study of American seniors reported in "Music Across the Course of Life" (Routledge Press).
Dr. Seoyoun Kim (Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan) was awarded an NIH R01 award from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute for the project, Volunteering, Polygenic Risk, and Cardiovascular biomarkers in Multiple Ancestry Groups. This research was recently featured in The Washington Post, The Guardian, Austin American-Statesman, and former U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy’s Parting Prescription for America.
The Washington Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2025/02/27/centenarians-longevity-healthy-aging-active/
The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/jan/06/volunteering-older-adults
Austin American-Statesman: https://www.statesman.com/story/news/healthcare/2024/04/10/is-volunteering-good-for-you-health-texas-state-research-study-heart-disease/73097865007/
Parting Prescription for America: https://www.vivekmurthy.com/partingprescription”
Dr. Mais Aljunaidy (Psychology) and Dr. Nadim Adi’s (Interior Design) recent research on artificial intelligence in art therapy was featured on Psychreg News. https://www.psychreg.org/ai-holds-promise-enhancing-art-therapy-requires-further-refinement-human-oversight/
Older News
Upcoming Events
Spring 2026 (Date TBD)
The Price Center, 222 W. San Antonio St., San Marcos, TX 78666
Aging Well Event
Workshop in Partnership with the Price Center Intergenerational Community Center
Recent Events
October 17, 2025
1:00 pm, The Price Center, 222 W. San Antonio St., San Marcos, TX 78666
Aging Well: Communication and Advocacy at the Doctor’s Office
Workshop in Partnership with the Price Center Intergenerational Community Center
Presenters: Dr. Ranjini Mohan (Department of Communication Disorders), Dr. Danette Myers (Department of Health Informatics and Information Management)
October 8, 2025
Connecting Research to Community: Healthy Aging in Older Adults
Health and Resilience Research Network Meeting, Translational Health Research Center, Texas State University.
Presenter: Carmen Westerberg (Psychology)
April 4, 2025
Partnering with the Community to Support Healthy Aging in Central Texas.
Health Scholars Showcase, Translational Health Research Center, Texas State University.
Presenters: Rebecca Deason (Psychology), Denise McAllister (Interior Design), Mais Aljunaidy (Psychology), Mohamad Nadim Adi (Interior Design), & Carmen Westerberg (Psychology).
February 21, 2025
1:00 pm, The Price Center, 222 W. San Antonio St., San Marcos, TX 78666
Aging Well: Interior Design for Living in Place, Mental Health, and Coping with Dementia
Workshop in Partnership with the Price Center Intergenerational Community Center
Presenters: Dr. Denise McAllister (Interior Design), Dr. Nadim Adi (Interior Design), Dr. Mais Aljunaidy (Psychology)
October 31, 2024
San Marcos Senior Citizens Expo
San Marcos Community Center
ARIA hosted an information booth on current research and how to participate.
September 20, 2024
1:00 pm, The Price Center, 222 W. San Antonio St., San Marcos, TX 78666
Aging Well: Strategies for Dementia Prevention and Compassionate Care
Workshop in Partnership with the Price Center Intergenerational Community Center
Presenters: Dr. Chris Johnson (Sociology), Dr. Seoyoun Kim (Sociology), Dr. Xi Pan (Sociology), Anna Broome (The Price Center)
September 13, 2024
University Lecturer Series hosted by ARIA
11:00 am, Alkek 250
Characteristics and Mechanisms of SuperAging
Dr. Emily Rogalski, Professor of Neurology, University of Chicago
Co-Sponsors: Departments of Psychology, Sociology, Health and Human Performance, Philosophy, Political Science, Anthropology, Communication Disorders, History, English, and the Center for Diversity and Gender Studies
Participate in Research
If you are an adult over age 55 and would be interested in participating in research conducted by members of the Alliance of Researchers in Aging at Texas State, please sign up by clicking on the following link: https://txstate.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3DvStHDyYkNt02i
Community Partners
Area Agency on Aging of the Capital Area (AAACAP) serves older adults, people with disabilities and their caregivers with a variety of services and supports throughout the region.
Capital City Village is Austin's virtual community of seniors committed to aging in place - living in our own homes and communities comfortably - while maintaining healthy and active lifestyles.
Kissing Tree - Active Adult retirement community in San Marcos, TX
The Price Center serves as a gathering place for stimulating cultural, social and intellectual opportunities for proposed inter-generational encounters, where the life experiences of our senior generation may be shared with the aspirations of those on their own life journey.
Successfully Aging and Living in San Antonio - Provider of services to support older adults in San Antonio, TX
