Diverse and Innovative Inaugural Cohort of MEL-STaR Scholars Announced

The Department of Learning Health Sciences-led Michigan Embedded Learning Health System Scientist Training and Research (MEL-STaR) center has selected its inaugural pre- and postdoctoral scholars cohort.

The group is hailed as representing a broad cross-section of disciplines, like medicine, rehabilitation, public health, and the basic sciences.

According to Co-principal investigator Gretchen Piatt, PhD, “The diverse backgrounds of our scholars will be crucial in ensuring a wide variety of perspectives and discussions and will foster innovation in their respective fields.” She added that the eight scholars will be focused on “improving health, health care, and health equity” in areas such as ophthalmology, surgery, radiation oncology, neurology, rehabilitation, and hematology/oncology.

The MEL-STaR center is committed to patient engagement and health equity. Co-lead of the Administrative core’s patient engagement and health equity unit, Greg Merritt, PhD, said he believes the future of research is to genuinely partner with patients. “I firmly believe the future of research is to authentically partner with patients to co-create ideas that will fundamentally change the way research is conducted, why the research matters, and the new and innovative ways to ensure we work on projects that matter to patients and those that love them,” Dr. Merritt said. Dr. Merritt is the Founder and CEO of PatientisPartner, Inc. an advocacy group focused on creating a culture of patient-partnered healthcare research.

Each MEL-STaR scholar is supported by a four-person mentoring team, which includes a patient partner mentor. Scholars also receive a budget for expenses associated with their research project.

MEL-STaR labs, including U-M departments, statewide Collaborative Quality Initiatives, VA centers for quality improvement, federally qualified health centers, and national research networks, provide opportunities for learning and research in environments where LHS research is already taking place. A complete list of MEL-STaR affiliated labs and scholars can be found here.

Below are the 2024-2025 MEL-STaR scholars and their affiliated labs.

Professional post-doctoral