Q: How long have you been a GSA member?
A: I have been a GSA member since 2022, when I was admitted into the Gerontology Department at the University of Massachusetts Boston (UMass Boston).
Q: Do you have a GSA resource that has been your “go-to” for keeping you engaged with the Society?
A: My primary go-to resource for staying engaged with GSA has been the Interest Groups. Participating in meetings and webinars offers wonderful opportunities to learn about emerging aging research and best practices, while allowing me to exchange resources and network with peers. Expanding on this engagement, volunteering on the Dissertation and Pre-Proposal Writing Group Taskforce and the Social Research, Policy, and Practice program panel has also allowed me to actively contribute to the GSA Annual Scientific Meeting.
Q: In what ways has membership in GSA benefitted you?
A:
My GSA membership has been highly beneficial to my professional growth. Access to GSA publications keeps me connected to and informed about the latest peer-reviewed research in the aging field. Attending the GSA Annual Scientific Meeting has allowed me to present my research, receive feedback from leaders in the field, expand my professional network, and learn about groundbreaking aging research. I have also been able to exchange ideas with leading experts through the GSA Connect platform.
Q: How did you get interested in the field of aging?
A: My interest in the aging field draws from my experiences with low-income older adults in Nigeria. I grew up in the Agbaja Izzi community of Ebonyi State, Nigeria, where I encountered many community-dwelling older people with meager incomes. I saw how these older persons struggled to meet their basic needs, experienced impoverished living conditions, suffered from poorer health, and lived in financial insecurity. These experiences made me pursue graduate-level training in social work. Thus, in 2019, I enrolled in the Master of Social Work program at Boston College following a Postgraduate Diploma in this discipline from Ebonyi State University, Nigeria, in 2016. At Boston College, I concentrated in the Older Adults and Families field of practice and took part in three gerontology-focused internships. Yet, to better contribute to gerontological research, policy, practice, and education, I sought a Ph.D. in Gerontology from the Department of Gerontology at UMass Boston, where I am currently a Ph.D. candidate.
The above-mentioned experience drives my research interests, which center on late-life economic security, with links to work and intergenerational support in later life, family caregiving (including dementia caregiving), and mental health. Late-life economic insecurity cripples access to basic needs while driving anxiety and depression. While employment can help, the benefits disappear in low-wage or demanding jobs. Similarly, while intergenerational support strengthens families, the emotional and financial pressures of dementia caregiving can break them, leaving dementia caregivers particularly vulnerable to long-term economic instability.
Q: What do you love most about your line of work?
A: What I love most about my work as a Research Assistant at the Center for Social and Demographic Research on Aging (CSDRA) is the opportunity to bridge rigorous research with practical, meaningful community impact. My role allows me to engage directly with older individuals, community leaders, and other stakeholders across Massachusetts, translating scientific research into real-world solutions. This actionable approach helps uncover the unique needs of older adults, secures critical resources for this population, and assists local municipalities in building equitable, age-friendly communities.
Q: What projects are you working on in your current position?
A: Having completed my candidacy exams, I am currently drafting my dissertation concept paper, which will be followed by the proposal and final project. My dissertation examines the double burden of late-career unemployment and intensive family caregiving on older adults' cognitive and mental health, drawing on data from the Health and Retirement Study. I am also collaborating with colleagues on research projects focusing on late-life paid work, financial fragility, economic security, cognition, and telehealth.
As a Research Assistant at the CSDRA, I contribute to research examining grandparent caregiving for grandchildren with disabilities, improving access to Social Security information in Black and Hispanic communities, and promoting financial well-being in later life through Financial Empowerment Centers. I conduct this work under the mentorship of Dr. Caitlin Coyle, Director of the CSDRA.
Q: What was the best piece of advice you got early on in your career you’d like to pass on to emerging gerontologists?
A: As an emerging gerontologist myself, my advice to others starting out in the aging field is to establish a sustainable work rhythm early on by setting realistic goals. Balancing rigorous research with intentional self-care is critical for protecting your overall well-being. Ultimately, actively building a strong network of peers within and outside GSA will foster the collaborative, supportive environment we all need to truly thrive in our careers.