Jinjiao Wang, PhD, RN, the William and Berneice Castella Distinguished Professor in Aging Studies and incoming assistant dean for research at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UT San Antonio) Health Science Center School of Nursing, received a $150,000 Science and Technology Acquisition and Retention (STARs) award from The University of Texas System Board of Regents.
Wang, an award-winning scientist, educator and innovator, is dedicated to improving home- and community-based care for older adults. Her work focuses on using stakeholder engagement and technological solutions to develop sustainable interventions and services for home-based care, particularly the management of geriatric syndromes such as polypharmacy, falls and cognitive impairment through deprescribing and medication optimization. The UT System Faculty STARs award funds will be instrumental in Wang establishing the institution’s Center for Medication Optimization and Deprescribing in Aging within the School of Nursing.
“The STARs award means a great deal to me—it’s not just funding, it’s a signal that UT San Antonio and the Health Science Center are serious about tackling one of the biggest challenges in aging care: Medication safety,” Wang said. “With the integration of these two powerful institutions on Sept. 1, we are entering a new era where healthcare and technology aren’t just coexisting—they’re collaborating. That’s exciting!”
“This award gives us the momentum to build the Center for Medication Optimization and Deprescribing in Aging. It’s going to be a space where nurses, physicians, data scientists, engineers and community partners come together to rethink how we support older adults—especially those dealing with polypharmacy and complex medication regimens,” Wang said. “We will use the funds to renovate space for telehealth consultations and research, invest in smart devices and secure tech for fieldwork and acquire critical datasets that will help us understand where the gaps exist and how to close them. At the end of the day, it’s about building a center that advances research, trains future leaders and ensures older adults receive safer, more personalized care. The UT System STARs award helps brings this vision to life.”
The UT System Board of Regents established the Science and Technology Acquisition and Retention (STARs) program in 2004. Multiple types of STARs awards support the enhancement of UT institutions across the state of Texas.