{"id":2505,"date":"2023-02-20T06:55:00","date_gmt":"2023-02-20T11:55:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/aging\/mstar\/info-orientation\/"},"modified":"2026-01-29T14:20:10","modified_gmt":"2026-01-29T19:20:10","slug":"info-orientation","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/aging\/mstar\/info-orientation\/","title":{"rendered":"The UNC MSTAR Program Information and Orientation"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class = \"alert alert-info  oscitas-bootstrap-container\">\n<div class=\"row  oscitas-bootstrap-container\">\n<div class=\"col-lg-6 col-md-6 col-xs-12 col-sm-6 oscitas-bootstrap-container\">\n<em><strong>&#8220;I honestly was really frustrated with research before the program but I decided to keep at it by applying to the program, given how important research is in future career choices. But my experience in most of the didactics sessions in addition to autonomously doing research with ample support has made me excited once again to do research in things I am interested in. So thank you. And thank you for all the work that everyone put in, because I know it was just a ton of work to make everything go together.&#8221; &#8211; MSTAR alum<\/strong><\/em><\/div>\n<div class=\"col-lg- col-md-6 col-xs-12 col-sm-6 oscitas-bootstrap-container\">\n<figure id=\"attachment_8356\" class=\"thumbnail wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"width: 523px\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-8356\" src=\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/aging\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/753\/2022\/07\/MSTAR-July-13-2022-2-300x181.jpg\" alt=\"Dr. Josh Niznik, at left, leading a research discussion session for the 2022 UNC MSTAR cohort\" width=\"513\" height=\"310\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/aging\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/753\/2022\/07\/MSTAR-July-13-2022-2-300x181.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/aging\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/753\/2022\/07\/MSTAR-July-13-2022-2-1024x617.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/aging\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/753\/2022\/07\/MSTAR-July-13-2022-2-768x463.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/aging\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/753\/2022\/07\/MSTAR-July-13-2022-2-1536x926.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/aging\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/753\/2022\/07\/MSTAR-July-13-2022-2-2048x1234.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/aging\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/753\/2022\/07\/MSTAR-July-13-2022-2-600x362.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 513px) 100vw, 513px\" \/><figcaption class=\"caption wp-caption-text\">Dr. Josh Niznik (L) leading an MSTAR research discussion.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h4>Below is the UNC MSTAR Program Information outline. Follow the links to learn more:<\/h4>\n<div class=\"panel panel-primary  oscitas-bootstrap-container\">\n<div class=\"panel-heading oscitas-bootstrap-container\">\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/aging\/mstar\/info-orientation\/the-unc-mstar-program-overview\/\"><strong>Program Overview<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"panel-body oscitas-bootstrap-container\">\n<div class=\"row  oscitas-bootstrap-container\">\n<div class=\"col-lg-6 col-md-6 col-xs-12 col-sm-6 oscitas-bootstrap-container\">\n<ul>\n<li>Program Duration<\/li>\n<li>Student Scholar Stipend<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"col-lg-6 col-md-6 col-xs-12 col-sm-6 oscitas-bootstrap-container\">\n<ul>\n<li>Directors<\/li>\n<li>Administrators<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"panel panel-primary  oscitas-bootstrap-container\">\n<div class=\"panel-heading oscitas-bootstrap-container\">\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/aging\/mstar\/unc-mstar-application\/\"><strong>Applying For the MSTAR Program<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"panel-body oscitas-bootstrap-container\">\n<ul>\n<li><strong><span style=\"color: #800000\">Applications for the 2026 program are now closed!<\/span><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row  oscitas-bootstrap-container\">\n<div class=\"col-lg-6 col-md-6 col-xs-12 col-sm-6 oscitas-bootstrap-container\">\n<div class=\"panel panel-primary  oscitas-bootstrap-container\">\n<div class=\"panel-heading oscitas-bootstrap-container\">\n<strong><a class=\"internal-link\" title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/aging\/education\/mstar\/info-orientation\/preparation-for-the-program-project\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">P<\/a><\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/aging\/mstar\/info-orientation\/preparation-for-the-program-project\/\"><strong>reparation for the Program &amp; Project<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"panel-body oscitas-bootstrap-container\">\n<ul>\n<li>Contacting Your Mentor<\/li>\n<li>Familiarization with the Project<\/li>\n<li>Create a Research Plan &amp; Calendar<\/li>\n<li>Background Check<\/li>\n<li>CITI\/OSHA\/Ethics<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/tracs.unc.edu\/index.php\">NC TraCS<\/a> Free Online Research Training<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"col-lg-6 col-md-6 col-xs-12 col-sm-6 oscitas-bootstrap-container\">\n<div class=\"panel panel-primary  oscitas-bootstrap-container\">\n<div class=\"panel-heading oscitas-bootstrap-container\">\n<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/aging\/mstar\/info-orientation\/what-to-expect-your-first-day\/\">What to Expect Your First Day<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n<div class=\"panel-body oscitas-bootstrap-container\">\n<ul>\n<li>Program Orientation<\/li>\n<li>ID Cards<\/li>\n<li>Medical Campus Tour<\/li>\n<li>Gym Membership (approx $45 pr\/mo)<\/li>\n<li>Keys &amp; Workspace<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row  oscitas-bootstrap-container\">\n<div class=\"col-lg-6 col-md-6 col-xs-12 col-sm-6 oscitas-bootstrap-container\">\n<div class=\"panel panel-primary  oscitas-bootstrap-container\">\n<div class=\"panel-heading oscitas-bootstrap-container\">\n<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/aging\/mstar\/info-orientation\/mstar-educational-sessions\/\">Educational Sessions<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n<div class=\"panel-body oscitas-bootstrap-container\">\n<ul>\n<li>Sample UNC MSTAR educational sessions<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"col-lg-6 col-md-6 col-xs-12 col-sm-6 oscitas-bootstrap-container\">\n<div class=\"panel panel-primary  oscitas-bootstrap-container\">\n<div class=\"panel-heading oscitas-bootstrap-container\">\n<strong>Research Report<\/strong><\/div>\n<div class=\"panel-body oscitas-bootstrap-container\">\n<ul>\n<li><a class=\"external-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/aging\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/753\/2019\/10\/MSTAR_Manuscript-Sample.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span class=\"external-link\">Research Report Sample<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center\">Still have questions?<\/h3>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center\">Visit our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/aging\/mstar\/unc-mstar-application\/\">Application Page<\/a> or contact <a href=\"mailto:MSTAR@med.unc.edu\">MSTAR@med.unc.edu<\/a> for additional MSTAR Program Information.<\/h4>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Below is the UNC MSTAR Program Information outline. Follow the links to learn more: Still have questions? Visit our Application Page or contact MSTAR@med.unc.edu for additional MSTAR Program Information.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":68816,"featured_media":0,"parent":2501,"menu_order":6,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-2505","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","odd"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>The UNC MSTAR Program Information and Orientation<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn the necessary MSTAR Program Information, including details on preparation, the application, and clinical experiences.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/aging\/mstar\/info-orientation\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The UNC MSTAR Program Information and Orientation\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Learn the necessary MSTAR Program Information, including details on preparation, the application, and clinical experiences.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/aging\/mstar\/info-orientation\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Center for Aging and Health\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-01-29T19:20:10+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/aging\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/753\/2022\/07\/MSTAR-July-13-2022-2.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2379\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1434\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@UNCGeriatrics\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"2 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/aging\/mstar\/info-orientation\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/aging\/mstar\/info-orientation\/\",\"name\":\"The UNC MSTAR Program Information and Orientation\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/aging\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/aging\/mstar\/info-orientation\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/aging\/mstar\/info-orientation\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/aging\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/753\/2022\/07\/MSTAR-July-13-2022-2-300x181.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2023-02-20T11:55:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-01-29T19:20:10+00:00\",\"description\":\"Learn the necessary MSTAR Program Information, including details on preparation, the application, and clinical experiences.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/aging\/mstar\/info-orientation\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/aging\/mstar\/info-orientation\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/aging\/mstar\/info-orientation\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/aging\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/753\/2022\/07\/MSTAR-July-13-2022-2.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/aging\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/753\/2022\/07\/MSTAR-July-13-2022-2.jpg\",\"width\":2379,\"height\":1434,\"caption\":\"Dr. Josh Niznik, at left, leading a research discussion session for the 2022 UNC MSTAR cohort\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/aging\/mstar\/info-orientation\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/aging\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"MSTAR &#8211; 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