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The UNC MSTAR Program Overview

MSTAR Program Duration

2022 MSTAR students and program staff
2022 MSTAR students and program staff

Students are required to spend a minimum of eight weeks and a maximum of 10 weeks in their summer internship. The UNC MSTAR Program has flexible start and end dates for the scholar’s summer experience. The MSTAR student consults with the research mentor to determine the specific length of research time.

MSTAR Student Scholar Stipend

Each student receives a monthly $2,262 Scholar Stipend (the actual amount may vary based on your specific appointment period). Students receive payments at the end of each month. In addition, travel expenses to conferences for presenting the students’ research is available. However, living expenses are not covered by the internship.

The NIH AND NIA PROHIBIT PARTICIPATION IN ANOTHER NIH AND/OR NIA PROGRAM CONCURRENTLY WITH MSTAR.

MSTAR Program Directors

Dr. Jan Busby-Whitehead

Jan Busby-Whitehead, MD

MSTAR Program Director
Professor and Chief & Director, Center for Aging and Health
M. Andrew Greganti Distinguished Professor of Medicine

Richard Loeser

Richard Loeser, MD

MSTAR Program Co-Director
Director, UNC Thurston Arthritis Research Center
Joseph P. Archie, Jr. Eminent Professor of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Allergy & Immunology

Philip Sloane

Philip Sloane, MD, MPH

MSTAR Program Co-Director
Distinguished Professor & Director of Academic Advancement, Department of Family Medicine

MSTAR Program Administrators

Joshua Niznik, PharmD, PhD

Joshua Niznik, PharmD, PhD

MSTAR Associate Program Director, Evaluator and Advisor
Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of Geriatric Medicine & Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Division of Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy

Ellen Roberts, PhD, MPH

Ellen Roberts, PhD, MPH

MSTAR Associate Program Director, Evaluator and Advisor
Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Geriatric Medicine