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
March 2026
Dr. Carmen Westerberg’s (Psychology) research linking sleep and cognitive function was featured in Hillviews Magazine, Volume 57, Number 1: Defeating Dementia: Is a Good Night’s Sleep Your Best Ally in Promoting Brain Health as You Age?
February 2026
Dr. Joseph A. Kotarba (Sociology) received a National Endowment for the Humanities grant (via Humanities Texas) for “The Frontier(s) of Health: The Rural West Texas Study,” a collaboration with Sul Ross State University examining how residents of the Big Bend region manage health, illness, and injury.
January 2026
ARIA released its first biannual newsletter featuring research, events, and influential members of the organization and community: ARIA Newsletter Fall 2025
October 2025
Dr. Mais Aljunaidy (Psychology) and Dr. Nadim Adi (Interior Design) collaborated to create a new interdisciplinary course, “Introduction to Architectural Psychopathology,” featured in Community Impact, Texas Public Radio, and Texas State University’s Newsroom.
Dr. Mais Aljunaidy (Psychology) and Dr. Nadim Adi (Interior Design) discussed how creative engagement with nature and interior design can facilitate therapeutic benefits on the Texas State Podcast, Enlighten Me, Season 3, episode 3: Beyond Talk Therapy: The Power of Experiential Healing.
September 2025
Dr. Joseph Kotarba (Sociology) discussed his research on communication techniques among people living with dementia in his piece “Tap Code,” featured in The Wimberley View.
Older News
Upcoming Events
July 29-31, 2026
Angelo State University, San Angelo, TX
Dance as Medicine: How Rhythmic Movement Enhances Balance, Cognition, and Well Being in Aging Adults
Aging in Texas Conference
An annual conference with educational programming beneficial for anyone involved with caring for Texas older adults.
Presenter: Dr. Denise Gobert
Recent Events
April 9, 2026
TXST Aging and Dementia Research Town Hall
ARIA members Carmen Westerberg (Psychology), Denise Gobert (Physical Therapy), Mira Ahn (Family and Consumer Sciences), and Keya Sen (Health Administration) participated in a panel discussion regarding the future of aging and dementia research.
March 13, 2026
1:00 pm, The Price Center, 222 W. San Antonio St., San Marcos, TX 78666
Aging Well: Non-pharmaceutical approaches to dementia treatment
Workshop in Partnership with the Price Center Intergenerational Community Center
Presenter: Dr. Chris Johnson (Sociology)
March 11, 2026
Embedded Systems for Longitudinal Sleep Monitoring
Health and Resilience Research Network Meeting, Translational Health Research Center, Texas State University.
Presenter: Dr. David Thompson (Electrical Engineering)
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)
June 25–27, 2025
Time Travel Model of Alzheimer’s and Caregiving presented by Dr. Chris Johnson (Sociology)
Healthy Lifestyle Education Program for Caregivers of People Living with Dementia presented by Dr. Jiaming Liang (UT Health Houston School of Public Health)
Aging in Texas Conference, Waco, TX
An annual conference with educational programming beneficial for anyone involved with caring for Texas older adults.
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)
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
