Student Profiles




Thomas Shaffer Track: Social, Cultural, Behavioral Sciences BA: Business Admin, Univ. of New Haven MHS: Hlth Policy & Mangement, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health As a research analyst at The Peter Lamy Center for Drug Therapy and Aging located within the School of Pharmacy, Tom is immersed in a rich environment where different aspects of the provision and use of prescribed medications in the elderly is the focus of research. His dissertation work involves looking at how changes in drug regimens for residents in institutional settings are associated with adverse outcomes such as hospitalizations. Not very far behind his interest in research is developing more methodological savvy and better understanding how to develop practical and relevant applications from research findings. Tom plans on staying involved with, or lead, research at either the Federal or University level. Teaching at the University level is also a natural fit.


Leanne Clark-Shirley Track: Social, Cultural, Behavioral Sciences BA: Psychology and Gerontology, Miami University MGS: Gerontological Studies, Miami University CV Leanne comes from Ohio, where she spent six years at Miami University earning undergraduate degrees in psychology and gerontology, and a Master of Gerontological Studies. While at UMBC, Leanne has worked closely with Dr. Leslie Morgan on a federally-funded grant investigating quality in assisted living, and has taught Sociology of Aging. She is currently living in Honolulu, HI and working as an independent consultant to IMPAQ International. In this role, she provides expertise in aging and long-term care policy analysis for a number of project teams, including designing and conducting evaluation research, and implementing a set of national indicators that determine states’ progress in rebalancing long-term care funding toward home and community based services. Leanne is completing her dissertation research on the impact of engagement in informal care upon work outcomes for Registered Nurses. She is passionate about being a part of the next generation of gerontology scholars and applying her education and experiences to help the nation embrace present and future generations of older adults. Leanne is active in the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education and the Gerontological Society of America. In the future, she would like to pursue a career in academia and research, and continue leadership involvement in professional organizations.


Janet Schreck Track: Epidemiology BA: Speech Pathology/Audiology, Loyola College in MD MS: Speech Pathology, Loyola College in MD CV For the past 20 years, Janet has worked as a speech-language pathologist specializing in the assessment and treatment of cognitive, communicative and swallowing disorders in older adults. She is a part-time student and works full-time as the Executive Director of the Loyola Clinical Centers, an interdisciplinary training center for graduate students in Education, Speech-Language Pathology/Audiology, Psychology, and Pastoral Counseling at Loyola University Maryland. Janet’s clinical and research interests include cognitive-communication changes and disorders in older adults, tertiary prevention, and rehabilitation of cognitive-communication disorders associated with aging. Her dissertation is examining factors that influence marital satisfaction in spouses of patients with chronic aphasia.


Shoshana Ballew Track: Social, Cultural, Behavioral Sciences BA: Psychology and Sociology, Case Western Reserve University Shoshana grew up in Pittsburgh, PA and arrived straight from her undergraduate degree at Case Western in Cleveland. Shoshana currently works full-time at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health as the Senior Research Project Coordinator for a large consortium of studies examining prognosis in chronic kidney disease. Shoshana is currently working on her dissertation focusing on the positive and negative aspects of caregiving and functional performance over time. She is also interested in issues surrounding falls and fear of falling.

Lynn Keimig Track: Social, Cultural, Behavioral Sciences BA: English, College of William & Mary MHA: Health Policy, Cornell University Lynn works in the Center for Aging Studies at UMBC on two studies funded by the National Institute on Aging: 1) Social Relationships in Residential Settings for Older Adults with Dr. Kevin Eckert, and 2) Generativity and Lifestyles of Older Women with Drs. Bob Rubinstein and Kate de Medeiros. Lynn began her career as a program analyst with the National Cancer Institute. Her research interests are in public health and aging, long-term care, and cognitive functioning. Lynn’s career goals include research, teaching, and program development in aging services.


Patrick Doyle Track: Social, Cultural, Behavioral Sciences BA: Psychology, Rhode Island College CV Patrick’s interest in gerontology and specifically elder care was inspired by the extensive time he has spent within long-term care setting since the age of nine. Since that early age Patrick has continued to work and volunteer in various long-term care residences. As an undergraduate psychology and biology student at Rhode Island College he began doing research in this field and investigated the impact of medical labels on nursing home employees’ perceptions of older adults with dementia. Patrick’s research has focused on how caregiving practices, physical environments, and social interactions influence the lived experience of people with dementia residing in long-term care settings. In his dissertation research, he is examining how a person-centered model of dementia caregiving is interpreted and applied by various stakeholders within a dementia-specific long-term care setting.

Susan Hannum Track: Social, Cultural, Behavioral Sciences B.A.: Interdisciplinary Studies and Psychology, UMBC M.A.: Applied Sociology, UMBC CV Susan came to the UMB/UMBC Doctoral Program in Gerontology after working at Thomas Jefferson University’s Center for Applied Research on Aging and Health with Dr. Helen Black. There, she worked on a qualitative research project done in conjunction with Dr. Robert Rubinstein of UMBC (who later became her mentor) that pertained to the experience of suffering among those over the age of 80. For the past two years, Susan worked as a qualitative research interviewer for the Generativity and Lifestyles of Older Women (GLOW) research project, led by Drs. de Medeiros and Rubinstein. This year, Susan has transitioned to focusing on her doctoral dissertation, having recently received a pre-doctoral award from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), to support her dissertation research project. This project is entitled: “Chronic Illness Narratives: Conceptualizations of a Cancer Diagnosis among Chronically Ill Older Adults”.

Jennifer Lloyd Track: Epidemiology BA: Psychology/Sociology, Towson University MA: Sociology, UMBC CV After graduating with her BS, Jennifer worked for a U.S. Department of Justice clearinghouse, the National Criminal Justice Reference Service, where she specialized in substance abuse and criminal justice issues. After three years in the field, Jennifer decided to go back to get her Master's in Applied Sociology at UMBC. While working on her Master's, she was the project coordinator for the neighborhood survey portion of the Healthy Aging in Neighborhoods of Diversity across the Life Span (HANDLS) study with the National Institute on Aging. Upon graduation, Jennifer began teaching Introduction to Sociology and The Family courses at TowsonUniversity and UMBC. With a background in Sociology, Jennifer has an interest in studying inequality as it pertains to race, gender, and social class among aging populations. In the first 3 years of the doctoral program, Jennifer worked with Dr. Bruce Stuart at the PeterLamyCenter using Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS) data on prescription drug and Medicare spending among beneficiaries with chronic diseases. In the third year of the doctoral program, Jennifer began working on the Caregiver study, part of the Baltimore Hip Studies while on the Epidemiology of Aging Trainee Grant. Jennifer defended her dissertation proposal, “Bone Mineral Density and Hip Fracture in Overweight and Obese Older Adults” in November 2010 and expects to graduate this Fall.

Amanda Peeples Track: Social, Cultural, Behavioral Sciences B.A.: Sociology & Psychology, UMBC M.A.: Applied Sociology, UMBC CV While earning her MA degree, Amanda worked as a research assistant on a project with Dr. Robert Rubinstein examining older adults’ experiences of suffering over the life course. This hands-on experience in doing research among an aged population fueled Amanda’s interest in continuing her education in the field of gerontology. Amanda currently works on the Social Relations in Residential Settings (SRRS) grant with Dr. J. Kevin Eckert. The SRRS project explores social interactions and attitudes towards aging in senior housing communities of various types. Amanda’s dissertation research focuses on attitudes toward and relationships with people who reside in a dementia care unit. Her goal is to pursue a career in research and teaching in gerontology.

Melissa Rice Track: Epidemiology BA: Sociology/Criminal Justice, Mount St. Mary's College MA: Applied Sociology, UMBC For the past 3 years, Melissa has worked on the "Healthy Aging in Neighborhoods of Diversity Across the Life Span" (HANDLS) study. The HANDLS study is a multidisciplinary, prospective epidemiologic longitudinal study examining the influences and interaction of race and SES on the development of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular health disparities among minority and lower SES subgroups. She works under the Intramural Research Training Award from the National Institute on Aging to work as a research trainee. Currently, Melissa is in charge of the second wave of HANDLS. She tracks participants both by telephone and in the field, and administers personality questionnaires. More recently, Melissa has been working with her mentor to examine relations of depressive symptoms to cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors in healthy, community-dwelling older adults at the Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, Baltimore VA Medical Center. In her second year, Melissa will continue to work on the HANDLS study and begin writing manuscripts exploring the relations of depressive symptoms to diabetes and cardiovascular health.


Karen Johnson Track: Social, Cultural, Behavioral Sciences B.A.: Mathematics,Cedarville College M.S.: Math Science/Stats, Virginia Commonwealth University Karen is a part-time student who works full-time as a senior research analyst at The Hilltop Institute, a UMBC-affiliated research center for health policy. Karen loves working with data and has extensive experience in the analysis of large surveys and medical encounter, claims, and assessment datasets. Karen’s major areas of interest include health care quality improvement and issues related to the end of life.

Shannon O’Connor Track: Policy B.A.: Psychology, North Carolina State University M.A.: Sociology, North Carolina Central University CV Originally from Annapolis, Shannon attended North Carolina State University, earning degrees in applied psychology and sociology. During her graduate career, she served as a teaching assistant for undergraduate statistics courses and an editorial assistant for a peer-reviewed sociological journal. As a first year PhD student, Shannon was an RA for Dr. Charlene Quinn on the Mobile Diabetes Study, a clinical trial using a telemedicine system to improve diabetes management. She is presently serving as an RA for Dr. Marc Hochberg on the Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI), a NIH-funded, multi-site, longitudinal, observational study designed to identify and validate biomarkers for the development and progression of knee osteoarthritis (OA). In her 4th year, Shannon will be working on her dissertation project, analyzing OAI data to examine incidence and risk factors for total knee arthroplasty (TKA) among older adults with end-stage knee OA.

Lisa Reider Track: Epidemiology BS: Biology, Washington College MHS: Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health CV Lisa Reider, MHS, is an Assistant Scientist in the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health (JHSPH), Department of Health Policy and Management. She has experience and expertise in coordinating multi-center interdisciplinary research studies. Currently she serves as Director of Protocol Development and Implementation within the coordinating center for an orthopaedic trauma research consortium. Her research interests include musculoskeletal health, osteoporotic fracture and rehabilitation in older adults in addition to improving the quality of their health care.


Nancy Chiles Track: Epidemiology BS: Biology, UMBC CV While earning her B.S. in Biology from the University of Maryland Baltimore County. Nancy conducted research with multiple studies in the field of Gerontology with the National Institute on Aging, including the Healthy Aging in Neighborhoods of Diversity across the Life Span (HANDLS) study and the InCHIANTI study. These experiences encouraged Nancy to pursue a doctoral degree in Gerontology. Nancy currently works as a graduate research assistant for the Baltimore Hip Studies with Dr. Denise Orwig. Her research interests include diabetes, sarcopenia, and lower extremity function and disability, particularly in aging minority populations. Nancy’s goal is a career in minority aging research.

Katherine Humber Track: SCB BA: English and Psychobiology, Wellesley College Computer Studies, UMUC MA: Clinical/Community Psych, University of Maryland College Park CV Kathy’s MA focused on self-concept issues in minority populations. During the course of her studies, Kathy developed a dual interest in cross-cultural issues as well as neuropsychological assessment. In the workforce, these interests led to positions in clinical settings as a therapist and counselor for a wide variety of populations. She also served as the neuropsychological coordinator overseeing the administration of clinical protocols for schizophrenic patients. After working in mental health, Kathy took on an administrative role at UMUC as an assistant academic director in the Sciences. Currently, she serves as the academic director of Gerontology and Behavioral Sciences. In this capacity, Kathy has developed an interest in the characteristics of older adults as well as the services and policies which affect them. Kathy's research interests include exploring mental health and cognition in aging from a sociocultural perspective.

Iona Johnson Track: SCB BA: Psychology & Speech Pathology/Audiology, George Washington University MS: Speech Language Pathology, Loyola College in MD Iona is a speech language pathologist with over 20 years experience as a clinician in the medical setting. For the past 9 years, she has worked as a clinical assistant professor at Towson University, in the department of Audiology, Speech Language Pathology and Deaf studies. Iona established the Stroke Survivor Group @ TU, a community based group that provides education and support for stroke survivors and their caregivers. As a part-time student in the Gerontology doctoral program, she aspires to develop her skills as a researcher. Iona’s research interests include stroke rehabilitation, cognitive-communication disorders, and quality of life and social participation in elderly who have chronic co-morbidities.

Tara McMullen Track: Policy BA: Journalism, University of Nevada, Reno MPH: Public Health, University of Nevada, Reno Tara received her MPH from the University of Nevada, Reno in 2009. Since then, while at UMBC, Tara has worked with IMPAQ International as a Gerontology Research Assistant on the National Balancing Indicators Contract. Currently, Tara works as a Graduate Research Assistant with Dr. Barbara Resnick. With Dr. Resnick and a subsection of the Eldercare Workforce Alliance (EWA), Tara is conducting research that explores scope of practice issues for the direct care workforce. Tara’s dissertation work will focus on evaluating and expanding a scope of practice for direct care workers. Tara is currently the Chair of the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education (AGHE) Student Committee, and is the incoming ESPO Student Representative to the Public Policy Committee for the Gerontological Society of America. Tara's research interests include direct care workforce issues, aging policy, evaluation, and advocacy. Tara's policy career aspirations include drafting mock legislation for the expansion of loan forgiveness for students interested in geriatrics, and implementing legislation that protects and retains older workers.

Colleen Bennett Track: Social, Cultural, Behavioral BA: Sociology and International Relations, State University of New York College at Geneseo MS: Gerontology, Marywood University Colleen comes from a small town in upstate New York. Her interest in aging began as a senior at the SUNY College at Geneseo, where she worked with the IOM Political Rights and Enfranchisement System Strengthening Project researching political displacement and older voters’ issues. As a Graduate Assistant at Marywood University, she focused on recreational and alternative therapies and activity departments in long-term care settings. She also worked closely with Marywood’s Gerontology Advisory Board and conducted research for an upcoming “Gerontological Handbook.” Her research interests have expanded to include family LGBT issues and needs in assisted living and long-term care settings. Colleen currently works as a Graduate Assistant with The Erickson School at UMBC with professors and students in the Management of Aging Services undergraduate program.

Mingliang Dai Track: Policy BA: International Economics, Shanghai Institute of Foreign Trade MS: Gerontology, University of Central Missouri CV Ming is interested in the impact of social insurance and welfare policies such as Medicare and Medicaid on the financial resources of older people. In addition, he is also interested in the role of supportive housing options such as assisted living facilities and smart homes in life quality for the current and coming aging population. In the long run, he intends to incorporate researching, management, and teaching into his career. As a graduate research assistant, Ming has been working with Dr. Stuart on geographic variations in Medicare drug spending and adherence using CCW datasets. He will start his GRA duties at the Hilltop Institute this coming fall.

Jennifer Howard-Doering Track: Policy BA: Politics, University of California MSW: University of Michigan MPP from the University of Erfurt, Germany Jennifer is a part-time student who works full-time as a Senior Research Analyst on several federal projects in the area of long-term supports and services for older adults and adults with disabilities. Her interest in aging and disability policy began as a high school student while volunteering at a nursing home. During her graduate work and subsequent employment, she developed an interest in long-term supports and services (LTSS). Jennifer’s research interests are in Medicare and Medicaid duel-eligibility policy, national LTSS rebalancing efforts, LTSS initiatives for special populations, and international approaches to LTSS.

Rasheeda Johnson Track: Epidemiology BS: Biology, UMBC BA: Management of Aging Services, UMBC During Rasheeda’s undergraduate career at the University of Maryland Baltimore County, research and academic experiences prompted her to explore public health via population studies where her fascination with the world of epidemiological studies pertaining to sociology and gerontology was ignited. Rasheeda looks forward to enhancing her research experience with studies geared toward investigating health disparities of underrepresented aging populations as it is influenced by environment or social networks. She is specifically interested in researching social and metabolic risk factors for diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease in aging populations focusing on the unequal distribution of such factors in various minority ethnic groups and the true influence of these risk factors on disease outcome and survival. Upon the completion of her graduate studies, she looks forward to taking a proactive role in shedding light on the importance of Aging research in academia by teaching at an undergraduate and graduate level.

Alida Loinaz Track: Epidemiology BS: Occupational Therapy, San Jose State Univesity CV As a registered occupational therapist and certified American Sign Language interpreter, Alida Loinaz has a background in neurological/orthopedic rehabilitation, human development, adaptation/accommodation, resilience, inclusive care and mind-body interaction. Before moving to Maryland, Alida developed a dementia care expertise and provided caregiver education and support for the Alzheimer's Association Colorado Chapter. At UMB Alida is a GRA for the Baltimore Hip Studies on the Community Ambulation Study looking at hip fracture rehabilitation outcomes.

Michael Brazda Track: Social, Cultural, Behavioral BS: Computer Studies, University of Maryland University College BA: Anthropology, University of Maryland Baltimore County MA: Applied Sociology, University of Maryland Baltimore County Michael has always been interested in social and cultural issues. His interest in aging related issues developed while working on his graduate degree at UMBC. While all social and cultural aspects of aging are of interest, Michael is hoping to focus more on the areas of technology and the internet use by older adults and aging related issues pertaining to the Gay and Lesbian communities.

Laura Girling Track: Social, Cultural, Behavioral BS: Psychology, Clemson University MS: Clinical Psychology, Loyola University, Maryland Prior to coming to UMBC, Laura worked within Johns Hopkins Hospital as the Division of Medical Psychology’s Research Coordinator. Her work predominantly focused on performing neuropsychological assessments on cognitively normal older adults as well as individuals diagnosed with memory disorders, primarily Alzheimer’s disease, Lewy body dementia, or mild cognitive impairment. Laura’s clinical and research interests include cognitive testing, early detection of memory impairment, examining the role of generativity in psychological well-being, and dementia care.

Flavius Lilly Track: Social, Cultural, Behavioral Flavius’ interests in gerontology began as an undergraduate when he worked as a research assistant for the Fels Longitudinal Study. His interests in older populations continued during graduate school in public health and into his career as a hospital executive. His research interests are in examining the physical environments and social inequalities of neighborhoods and their affect on the health and wellbeing of people as they age.