Center's History

Where We Started

In 1983, the UCSD School of Medicine became the first campus in the University of California system to have an Organized Research Unit (ORU) focused on aging — namely, the Sam and Rose Stein Institute for Research on Aging (renamed in 1992, thanks to a generous, endowed gift made by the Stein family). Jarvis Edwin Seegmiller, M.D. was the founding Director of this ORU. The long-term goal of the Stein Institute was to promote interdisciplinary programs concerning the basic biology of senescence, the role of free radicals and other environmental toxins in the aging process, and the pathophysiology of age-related illnesses such as Alzheimer's disease, arthritis, atherosclerosis, and cancer. In addition to supporting research, the Institute was organized to foster training and education in geriatrics and gerontology.

Over the past 41 years, the Stein Institute has brought together a critical mass of scientific talent, encouraged and funded age-related research (including over 85 pilot grants), purchased needed scientific equipment, supported the education of more than 150 students, and provided over 300 public lectures on aging as part of its general community outreach.

Where We Are Now

Over four decades since its founding, the Sam and Rose Stein Institute for Research on Aging remains at the forefront of transformative aging research. Our mission continues to honor the vision of our founding directors: to advance the science of aging through interdisciplinary research, community engagement, and training.

In 2014, UC San Diego Health Sciences established the Center for Healthy Aging as an umbrella organization for all aging-related programs at the university. Building upon the Stein Institute’s foundational work, the Center’s focus has expanded to address the multifaceted challenges and opportunities of an aging society.

Some of our current research initiatives include the Successful Aging Evaluation (SAGE) Study, a longitudinal cohort study of over 1,800 community-dwelling individuals aged 21 to over 100, which provides valuable data for aging research across the UC San Diego campus. Additionally, our “living lab” at Belmont Village Senior Living facilitates real-world research and fosters partnerships with older adults in a community setting.

Under the leadership of Alison A. Moore, MD, MPH, FACP, AGSF, Director of the Stein Institute and the Center for Healthy Aging, we continue to foster collaborations across UC San Diego and beyond, with the goal of promoting lifelong health and well-being for older adults.