There are a large variety of educational pathways and career possibilities in the field of psychology and aging for those interested in practice and research. Explore the links below for brief profiles of psychologists specializing and students in training for careers in aging. Check out the Prolonging Vitality report to see other examples of how psychologists are helping older adults of today and tomorrow promote their vitality.
Psychology Student Profiles
Undergraduate
Andrew Dilanchian (Florida State University) focuses on how technology, including virtual reality (VR), can be used to help support older adults in their daily lives. Graduate
Mackenzie Hines-Wilson (Washington University in St. Louis) participated in research focusing on the disparities of fear of falling among Black older adults and non-Hispanic White older adults.
Graduate
Laurie Chin, MA (University of Indianapolis)
Victoria Guinn, MS (Palo Alto University)
Nicole Herrera, MS (Nova Southeastern University)
Postdoctorate
Avanti Dey, PhD, (Center for Vital Longevity, University of Texas at Dallas) conducts research utilizing cognitive and neuroimaging data on how expertise, knowledge and engagement contribute to benefits in aging.
Hardeep Obhi, PhD (University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill) conducts interdisciplinary research focused on cognitive aging, health, and well-being across the lifespan.
Early Career Psychologist Profiles
Kelly O’Malley, PhD (New England Geriatric Research and Education Center, VA Boston; Health and Aging Policy Fellow, American Political Science Association) is an early career psychologist whose clinical work, research, and federal policy work focuses on family caregivers.
Katherine Ramos, PhD (assistant professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine) is an early career psychologist whose work focuses on design and implementation of mental health interventions for older adults in palliative care.
Psychology Researcher Profiles
Neuropsychologist
Jennifer Manly, PhD, studies how people’s cultural experiences affect their brains as they age.Applied Gerontologist
Cameron Camp, PhD, has taken the Montessori teaching method and retooled it to help people with Alzheimer’s disease regain some of the skills that have fallen prey to their illness.Developmental Psychologist
Joseph E. Gaugler, PhD, conducts family caregiving research on how best to manage the logistics and emotional reactions associated with placing a loved one in a long-term care facility.Organizational Psychologist
Eduardo Salas, PhD, studies and works to improve team dynamics in settings such as emergency rooms.Human Factors and Engineering Psychologist
David Strayer, PhD, studies how the brain processes information to better understand what causes driver distraction and improve driver safety.Health Psychologist
James Sallis, PhD, collaborates with urban planners to design walkable cities and communities to encourage physical activity.Researcher and policy advocateopens in new window
Mark Brennan-Ing, PhD, conducts applied and translational research on psychosocial issues affecting older adults with HIV. He uses his research to advocate for public policies to support this population.Quantitative Psychologist
Michael C. Edwards, PhD, studies the methods and techniques for the measurement of human behavior.
Psychology Practitioner Profiles
Five Reasons to Work with Older Adults
Maggie Syme, PhD, MPH, offers compelling reasons to expand your practice to work with older adults while busting myths about the aging population.
Work as a director of clinical training, academician, and researcher
Nancy A. Pachana, PhD found her niche overseas at the School of Psychology, University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia.- Work in an assisted living facility
Merla Arnold, PhD, a counseling psychologist, works with older adults where they reside. - Work as a member of a geriatric health care team
Richard Zweig, PhD, ABPP, a clinical geropsychologist, contributes to whole-person care in geriatric settings as a trainer and team member. - Work in hospice
Kristen Dillon, PsyD, a clinical psychologist, serves on an integrated-care team that provides veterans in hospice with a respectful, holistic and peaceful end of life. - Work in rehabilitation
Angela Kuemmel, PhD, a rehabilitation psychologist, works with patients in a Veterans Affairs spinal cord injury center. - Work in a hospital critical care unit
Nancy Ciccolella, PsyD, helps critical care patients emerge from the extreme confusion known as intensive care unit delirium. - Work with family caregivers in community, palliative care and long term care settings
Paula Hartman-Stein, PhD, Julia Kasl-Godley, PhD, and Yvette Tazeau, PhD provide a wide range of diagnostic, therapeutic and consultative services. - Work as a cinician-educator specializing in family caregiving
Barry J. Jacobs, PsyD, provides education about family caregiving to professional and public groups. - Work as a policy advocate
David Coon, PhD, utilizes his expertise in psychosocial interventions for family caregivers to influence health and social services program development for family caregivers at the local, state and national levels. - Work in a university medical center
Lauren N. DeCaporale-Ryan, PhD helps health care providers communicate effectively with patients and families.