Overview
My research and scholarship center around social determinants of health and disparities in health care and outcomes in diverse older adult populations, with a particular focus on cardiovascular and brain health. My current program of research falls under two themes: (i) the analysis of health disparities in a multinational context, with a particular focus on the cognitive function and dementia care among older adults; and (ii) the integration of patient-reported social factors in cardiovascular outcome research. I have led several research projects funded by the National Institute of Health (NIH) and American Heart Association (AHA) that leverage the strengths of big data repositories such as electronic health records (EHR), Medicare claims, national survey data and disease registries to improve the cardiovascular and brain health of older adults through a lens of equity.
Areas of Expertise:
Global Health; Social Determinants of Health; Cardiovascular Disease; Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias; and Population Aging
Areas of Expertise:
Global Health; Social Determinants of Health; Cardiovascular Disease; Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias; and Population Aging
Current Appointments & Affiliations
Associate Professor in the School of Nursing
·
2024 - Present
School of Nursing
Associate Professor in Family Medicine and Community Health
·
2024 - Present
Family Medicine and Community Health,
Clinical Science Departments
Affiliate, Duke Global Health Institute
·
2020 - Present
Duke Global Health Institute,
University Institutes and Centers
In the News
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Recent Publications
Longitudinal Associations Between Psychological Resilience and Cognitive Function: Evidence From the U.S. Health and Retirement Study.
Journal Article The journals of gerontology. Series B, Psychological sciences and social sciences · January 2025 ObjectivesReductions in psychological resilience and declining cognition are common among older adults. Understanding the longitudinal association between them could be beneficial for interventions that focus on age-related cognitive and psycholog ... Full text CiteRacial and ethnic disparities in longitudinal trajectories of cardiovascular risk factors in U.S. middle-aged and older adults.
Journal Article PLoS One · 2025 BACKGROUND: Racial and ethnic disparities in cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors are well-documented. However, racial and ethnic differences in the longitudinal changes among multiple CVD risk factors are unknown. METHODS: We used prospective cohort ... Full text Link to item CitePhysical activity initiated from midlife on risk of dementia and cognitive impairment: The Health and Retirement Study.
Journal Article Journal of the American Geriatrics Society · December 2024 BackgroundPhysical activity is associated with lower risk of dementia and cognitive impairment, but existing randomized controlled trials have shown conflicting results. As cognitive decline occurs decades before the onset of dementia, physical ac ... Full text CiteRecent Grants
Poststroke Cognitive Impairment and Dementia
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by University of Texas - Southwestern · 2024 - 2029Duke/UNC ADAR Program
Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2024 - 2029A Life Course Approach to Identify Risks of Hospitalization in Older Adults with Heart Failure
ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2022 - 2027View All Grants
Education, Training & Certifications
Duke University, School of Nursing ·
2018
Ph.D.