Donna de Levante Raphael, PhD (She/Her/Hers) is AFA’s Director of Research. In this role, she leads AFA’s efforts to advance scientific understanding, innovation, and equity in dementia research in the hopes of meaningfully improving diagnosis, care, and quality of life for families affected by dementia-related illnesses. Her work focuses on identifying early biomarkers, understanding caregiver burden, and bridging the gap between science and community impact. Prior to joining AFA in September 2019, she served over 15 years in the fields of public health, aging, and dementia. She is a published author, peer reviewer in scientific, medical, and public health journals, and public speaker. When she’s not working, Donna enjoys travel, sports, art, sculpting, languages, and learning new things.