AYY Fellows are graduate and professional students, pre-doctoral and post-doctoral researchers, selected to study at the University of Maryland Baltimore or University of Costa Rica in individualized programs that include courses, mentoring, and participation in research programs. Selected Fellows receive financial support to cover airfare, housing, and tuition. In the case of Costa Rican participants, Fellows are hired as Research Fellows by UMB and receive a stipend and health insurance.
Ericka Méndez-Chacón, MSc.
A Full Professor and Researcher in UCR's Statistics Department, Dr. Méndez-Chacón will compare determinants of health inequalities in elderly populations of Costa Rica and the United States.
Monica Valeria Cortes Ortiz
A former Research Trainee at UCR's Health Research Institute, Mónica will investigate interplay between dietary, genetic, and environmental factors in relation to aging and different complex diseases in older adults.
University of Maryland School of Medicine
- Lillianna Pedersen
- Alexis Vetack
- Shania Bailey
- Hima Konduru
- Melissa Rallo
- Christine Wan
- Nicholas Leahy
Project: Healthy Aging in Costa Rica
Costa Rica is experiencing a rapid aging process due to increased life expectancy and declining birth rates. Coto Brus, a rural municipality in the country, is no exception. This project aims to understand the aging and demographic transition process in Coto Brus and identify opportunities for future interventions.