Overview
Dr. Pendergast is a senior faculty member in the Department of Biostatistics & Bioinformatics, with specialized expertise in multivariate and longitudinal data. Before coming to Duke, she was a Statistics/Biostatistics faculty member at the Universities of Florida and Iowa. Her primary collaborations at Duke are with members of the Division of General Internal Medicine and the Aging Center.
Current Appointments & Affiliations
Professor Emeritus of Biostatistics & Bioinformatics
·
2022 - Present
Biostatistics & Bioinformatics, Division of Biostatistics,
Biostatistics & Bioinformatics
Recent Publications
Longitudinal Analysis of Cardiovascular Risk Factors Among Older Adults Participating in a Park-Based Fitness Program.
Journal Article Int J Aging Hum Dev · March 2026 Background: Physical inactivity is a major risk factor for noncommunicable diseases, particularly among older adults. We examined changes in cardiovascular risk factors among older adults in a community-based fitness program in Miami-Dade County, FL. Metho ... Full text Link to item CiteDevelopment, Challenges, and Evolution of the Log2Lose Intervention for Weight Management: Randomized Controlled Digital Health Trial.
Journal Article JMIR Form Res · November 17, 2025 BACKGROUND: Long-term adherence to weight loss behaviors is challenging, as most individuals who achieve significant weight loss regain 1-2 kg per year. Financial incentives can reinforce weight-loss initiation and maintenance behaviors, but optimal strate ... Full text Link to item CiteStudy protocol for Log2Lose: A randomized controlled trial to evaluate financial incentives for dietary self-monitoring and interim weight loss in adults with obesity.
Journal Article Contemp Clin Trials · September 2025 Although behavioral weight-loss programs are efficacious for achieving clinically significant weight loss, adherence to such programs is variable. Positive reinforcement through small financial incentives has shown promise for increasing adherence to behav ... Full text Link to item CiteRecent Grants
Supporting Patients and Family Care Partners to Manage Chronic Kidney Disease Together
ResearchCollaborator · Awarded by National Institute on Aging · 2021 - 2026Diet and Hypertension Management in Chronic Kidney Disease
ResearchCo-Mentor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2019 - 2025Deprescribing for Older Dialysis Patients
ResearchMentor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2018 - 2024View All Grants
Education, Training & Certifications
University of Iowa ·
1979
Ph.D.