Project SummaryIn response to PAR-20-317 (NIA MSTEM: Advancing Diversity in Aging Research through UndergraduateEducation [R25]) the University of Arizona Center on Aging (ACOA) proposes to implement the ACOA/MSTEM THRIVE Program a substantively focused structured longitudinal mentored research educationprogram targeting University of Arizona (UA) undergraduates (Freshman through Seniors) from groupsunderrepresented in the health sciences (URHS). Students will be recruited from four pre-health programs inthe University of Arizona Health Science Center (UAHS): medicine nursing pharmacy and public health.Students will be principally of Latino and American Indian/Native American descent or from U.S-Mxico borderregions. The project is supported by the well documented lack of diversity among the research workforce inaging the rapid growth of older adults (55 years and older) in diverse groups and the well documented healthdisparities in those groups. Consistent with the NIH Strategic Directions for Research--2020-2025 documentresearch education will focus on the interrelationships of the environmental social cultural behavioral andbiological factors that create and sustain health disparities among older adults. The program will operate withinthe context of already existing world-class resources at UA focused on geriatrics/gerontology research andeducation (ACOA) and existing on-campus programs designed to recruit and promote success amongstudents from groups URHS. The project specific aims are: (1) Develop and sustain undergraduate studentinterest involvement and retention leading to commitment to a research career focused on our theme ofImproving health wellbeing and independence of older adults in diverse groups; 2) Develop sustain and supportundergraduate student engagement in research on our theme by providing students with distinct hands-onexperience requisite knowledge and research skills; 3) Facilitate and sustain undergraduate student progresstoward achieving career goals and Cultivate and sustain a cadre of culturally competent research mentors tosupport MSTEM/ACOA THRIVE students. The innovation of this project lies in our capacity to leverageexcellent already existing on-campus programs designed to recruit and promote success among studentsfrom groups URHS with nationally recognized resources and researchers in gerontology/geriatrics withscientists studying health disparities to improve the health well-being and independence of older adults indiverse populations. This project is supported within a research-intensive university that is guided by astrategic plan to increase diversity and prepare for an aging world.