This series brings together researchers, community organizations, and healthcare stakeholders focused on healthy aging and dementia. Through brief expert presentations and interactive discussion, participants engage with emerging research while sharing strategies for real-world settings. The series also supports teams preparing for funding opportunities through the Dementia Prevention & Research Institute of Texas (DPRIT).
About the Series
Where Changemakers Come to Learn
This series is designed for the people and organizations at the forefront of aging and dementia care; including community-based organizations, healthcare stakeholders, clinicians, training institutions, academic and research communities, hospital and health systems, philanthropic funders, grantmakers, grant seekers, and policymakers.
Past Sessions
Innovations in Aging Research and Technology
Cognitive Health and Resilience in Aging
Developing Workforce and Community-Research Partnership in Texas Dementia Care
Dementia Support Systems: Patient, Caregiver, & Spouse Wellbeing
Social Determinants of Healthy Aging
Models of Care for Aging Populations
Healthy Aging Research Landscape and Funding Opportunities
Meet Our Speakers
Session 1: Healthy Aging Research Landscape and Funding Opportunities
Melissa Sanchez
Texas Senior Director of Public Policy, Alzheimer’s Association
Alida Coutino
Network Coordinator, Aging Services Council and the Aging & Disability Resource Center at the Area Agency on Aging of the Capital Area
Dr. Scott Hiebert
Chief Scientific Officer, Cancer Prevention Institute of Texas (CPRIT)
Dr. Melinda Villagran
Executive Director, Translational Health Research Center
Session 2: Social Determinants of Healthy Aging
Dr. Seoyoun Kim
Research Associate Professor, Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research and Faculty Associate
Dr. Jazmin Graff
Physician Specializing in Women's Health, Disease Prevention, and Cognitive Health
Session 3: Cognitive Health and Resilience in Aging
Dr. Ranjini Mohan
Associate Professor, Communication Disorders, Texas State University
Dr. Rebecca Deason
Professor, Psychology, Texas State University
Anna Tutum
Memory Connections. Programs Director, AGE of Central Texas
Session 4: Models of Care for Aging Populations
Dr. John Brown
Owner & CEO, Oasis Senior Advisors Austin & Central TX
Dr. Kylie Meyer
Co-director, University Center on Aging & Health, Assistant Professor, Case Western Reserve University
Session 5: Dementia Support Systems: Patient, Caregiver, and Spouse Well-Being
Dr. Sara S. Masoud
Assistant Professor at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
Eddie L. Orum, III
Community Educator
Session 6: Innovations in Aging Research and Technology
Dr. Nadim Adi
Assistant Professor - School of Family & Consumer Sciences
Emily Flores
Senior Planet Team Lead, San Antonio
Session 7: Developing Workforce and Community-Research Partnership in Texas Dementia Care
Dr. Jennifer Jurado Severance
Vice Chair of Research, Professor and Gerontologist at the University of North Texas Health Science Center.
Dr. Jennifer Jurado Severance, is Professor and Gerontologist at the University of North Texas Health Science Center. Her research is focused on workforce education, training, and community programs for increasing access, addressing social drivers of health, and improving health service quality and Age-Friendly systems of care for older adults and family caregivers. She is the Program Director and Principal Investigator for a Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program where she leads innovative education programs with academic, community, primary care, and long-term care partners across the state. She is a champion for optimal aging in her local community and has served on leadership boards for the National Association for Geriatric Education, the Texas Public Health Association, Dementia Friendly Fort Worth, and the National Council on Aging’s National Institute for Senior Centers. She is a member of the Texas Statewide Interagency Aging Services Coordinating Council (SIASCC) and a Fellow of the Texas Public Health Association and the Gerontological Society of America.
Dr. Melinda Villagran
Executive Director, Professor
Dr. Melinda Villagran, leads health and community resilience research programs as the Executive Director of Texas State's Translational Health Research Center.
Dr. Villagran is also a tenured health communication professor and an active health services researcher. She is currently the Principal Investigator or Co-Investigator on four large federally-funded research programs seeking to develop and test novel data analytics and decision support tools to improve health outcomes.
At Texas State since 2012, Dr. Villagran has served in various administrative roles, including chair of the Department of Communication Studies, chair of the university’s Council on Funded Research, chair of the University Strategic Planning Committee for Innovation, and co-chair of the LBJ Distinguished Lecture Series. She is the author of over 65 peer-reviewed publications and two scholarly books, and the author or co-author of funding proposals that have generated over 18 million dollars from state, federal, and foundation sources for her research programs since 2012.
Through this virtual learning network, we’re not just sharing research—we’re building a community of practice. Participants gain access to expertise and develop collaborative partnerships essential for serving communities across Texas.
Christina Aubert
Research and Community Senior Program Specialist
Have Any Questions?
Please contact Christina Aubert if you want to learn more about this program.