Conference Faculty

Ballantine Chair in Geriatrics and Director, Alzheimer Disease Research Center, University Wisconsin

Dr. Asthana’s research program broadly focuses on clinical psychopharmacology and neuroendocrinology of gonadal steroids and cholinergic drugs in Alzheimer’s disease and healthy aging.

Principal Investigator and Assistant Professor, Knight Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and Department of Neurology, Washington University

Dr. Babulal’s research goals include, (1) characterizing functional changes in older adults using AD biomarkers (e.g. structural and functional imaging, cerebrospinal fluid, plasma), (2) predicting decline in behavior via standard and novel methodologies, (3) identifying noncognitive behavioral markers that predict preclinical AD, and (4) developing/validating effective strategies to improve and prolong functional outcomes. Additionally, Dr. Babulal’s work resides in the assessment of how social determinants of health, including discrimination, depression, and chronic stress impact health, and well-being in older adults and underrepresented minoritized groups.

Associate Professor of Neurology, Leader, Health Disparities and Equity Core, Knight ADRC, Washington University School of Medicine

Joyce (Joy) E. Balls-Berry, Ph.D., is a psychiatric epidemiologist and health educator. Her primary research focuses on applying community and patient engaged research principles in diverse populations to reduce health disparities and increase health equity. Much of Dr. Balls-Berry’s research centers on determining ways to increase diversity and inclusion in clinical and translational science.

Jesmer Professor of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, and Cognitive Neuropsychologist, Rush Alzheimer Disease Center

Dr. Lisa L. Barnes is internationally recognized for her contributions to minority aging and minority health. Her research interests include disparities in chronic diseases of aging, cognitive decline, and risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease. She is the Principal Investigator of two longitudinal community-based studies of older African Americans, including the Minority Aging Research Study (MARS), which has been funded by NIA since 2004 and the African American Clinical Core which she has led since 2008. She advocates for recruitment of under-represented groups into clinical studies and has received many awards and fellowships from universities and organizations throughout the U.S.

Associate Professor of Health, Risk and Science Communication, Edward R. Murrow College of Communication and at the Institute for Research and Education to Advance Community Health (IREACH), Washington State University

Dr. Boyd works with Indigenous communities throughout the United States and Canada to examine the impact of communications on risk perceptions and behavior. Through this work, she aims to develop the tools and theory needed to create effective, culturally relevant communications that improve the health and wellbeing of Indigenous populations.

Director and Professor, Institute for Research and Education to Advance Community Health, Elson [S. Floyd College of Medicine, Washington State University

Dr. Buchwald has a broad background in public health and primary care, with special emphases on culturally competent care and the health of American Indians and Alaska Native peoples. Her work considers health at the level of the individual, the community, and the health system, using an array of quantitative and qualitative methodologies.

Assistant Professor of Neurology, NIA Layton Aging and Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Oregon Health & Science University

Raina Croff, PhD is Assistant Professor of Neurology at the NIA Layton Aging and Alzheimer’s Disease Center at Oregon Health & Science University. Her work focuses on creating culturally celebratory approaches to physical activity, social engagement, and reminiscence therapy for healthier aging, particularly amidst the trauma of gentrification and its implications for older Black adults’ cognitive health and social connectedness. She received her PhD in Anthropology from Yale University in 2009 and applies her training as an anthropologist of the African Diaspora to designing brain health interventions that celebrate Black culture, history, and community memory.

Instructor in Neurology and Leader, Knight ADRC Outreach, Recruitment, and Engagement Core Leader, Washington University School of Medicine

The focus of Andrea Denny’s research and practice is Alzheimer’s disease and related diseases (ADRD) associated with aging. Specific interests include improving recruitment and retention of research volunteers in ADRD research. She also has an interest in the dissemination of knowledge from the academic setting to the community including historically minoritized and rural communities, Her work centers on ways to improve outcomes for those living with ADRD and their care partners.

Assistant Professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, School of Public Health

Jason D. Flatt, PhD, MPH (Pronouns: He/Him/They/Them) is an Assistant Professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, School of Public Health, Department of Social and Behavioral Health. Jason’s $1.4 million-funded research portfolio works to better understand health concerns and needs of diverse sexual and gender minorities or LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual as well as additional identities) people living with Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and their care providers. Jason is currently Co-Principal Investigator of The National Institute on Aging-funded study to recruit and engage LGBTQIA+ people with memory loss and their care partners into The RISE (Research Inclusion Supports Equity) Registry.

Association Professor of Geriatrics and Gerontology, University of Wisconsin–Madison, and Leader, Inclusion of Under-Represented Groups Core, Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center

Dr. Gleason’s research aims to improve timely identification of and intervention for memory disorders in underserved communities. She is the principal or co-investigator on numerous research projects examining modifiable risk factors, including cardiovascular disease, emotional health, and social context.