ESPO and Butler-Williams Scientific Symposium: Career Development to Promote Diversity, Discovery, and Aging

Chair(s)

• 

  Kalisha Bonds Johnson, PhD, RN, PMHNP-BC

  Assistant Professor, Tenure Track
  Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing
  Emory University
  Atlanta, Georgia, United States

  Slides

Co-Chair(s)

• 

  Brianna Morgan, PhD (c), MSN, CRNP

  Predoctoral Fellow
  School of Nursing
  University of Pennsylvania
  Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

Discussant(s)

• 

  Patricia Jones, DrPH, MPH, MS, MBA

  Director, Office of Special Populations
  NIA OD-Office of Special Populations
  National Institute on Aging
  Bethesda, Maryland, United States

Individual Symposium Abstract First Author(s)

• MF

  Mateo Farina, PhD

  Post Doctoral Scholar
  School of Gerontology
  University of Southern California
  Los Angeles, California, United States
• KD

  Kacie Deters, PhD

  Assistant Professor
  Dept. of Integrative Biology & Physiology
  University of California, Los Angeles
  Inglewood, California, United States
• 

  Mirna Arroyo-Miranda, DrPH, JD

  Postdoctoral Fellow
  Department of Psychology
  University of Houston (Collaborative on Aging Research and Multicultural Assessment)
  Houston, Texas, United States
• 

  Jamaine Davis, PhD

  Assistant Professor
  Biochemistry, Cancer Bio, Neuroscience & Pharmacology
  Meharry Medical College
  Nashville, Tennessee, United States

The NIA’s Butler-Williams Scholars Program and GSA’s ESPO Section are united in providing career development opportunities in a manner that promotes leadership, diversity, and inclusivity. This year’s theme challenges our emerging scholars to embrace diversity and discovery while thinking—or rethinking—about the perspectives of older adults. Disparities in health associated with race/ethnicity, experience, sociocultural and socioeconomic factors, as well as access to and provision of health care are chief concerns of our aging population. GSA’s early career professionals and 2021 alumni of the prestigious NIA Butler-Williams Scholars Program address these issues. Dr. Matthew Farina will present on the importance of identifying life course pathways in understanding the lived experiences of older adults from underrepresented racial groups. Dr. Kacie Deters will discuss how both demographics and genetic factors contribute to cognitive performance. Dr. Mirna Arroyo-Miranda will present findings on social isolation and cognition in Hispanic/Latino older adults. The final speaker, Dr. Jamaine Davis will present on the genetic factors that may contribute to dementia in African American older adults. The featured talks by rising stars deepen our understanding of the influence of diversity and key discoveries so we can reimagine aging research.

Presentations:

• 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM ET

  Differences in Life Course Pathways to Dementia Incidence for Black and White Older Americans
  

  Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Mateo Farina, PhD – University of Southern California
• 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM ET

  Variable Predictors of Cognitive Performance Within Ethnic/Racial Groups Using a Computerized Cognitive Battery
  

  Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Kacie D. Deters, PhD – University of California, Los Angeles
• 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM ET

  Understanding Cultural Differences of Social Isolation and Its Effects on Cognitive Function of Hispanics/Latinos
  

  Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Mirna L. Arroyo-Miranda, DrPH, JD – University of Houston (Collaborative on Aging Research and Multicultural Assessment)
• 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM ET

  A Molecular Lens Focused on Understanding Alzheimer's Disease Health Disparities
  

  Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Jamaine Davis, PhD – Meharry Medical College