AFA Research Team
Our Flagship Study:
Exploring the Biopsychosocial Impact of Dementia Caregiving on Spousal Caregivers’ Health Outcomes
Your caregiving story matters.
Help us improve care for families like yours.
Learn more about the study, or register today:
Meet Our Leader: Dr. Donna de Levante Raphael, Ph.D.
Dr. Donna de Levante Raphael, Ph.D., serves as the Director of Research at the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. A nationally recognized scholar in gerontology, public health, and Alzheimer’s disease, Dr. de Levante Raphael brings almost two decades of experience in translational aging research, dementia education, and caregiver health.
Her leadership will ensure that AFA’s research initiatives are rigorous, inclusive, and deeply responsive to the needs of under-represented and under-resourced communities, particularly to populations who have historically been left out of Alzheimer’s research.
Wendy Drewes MSN, BSN, RN, CCRC
Wendy Drewes is a certified clinical research coordinator (CCRC) as well as a registered nurse (RN) with over 35 years of industry and academic research experience with a primary focus on cardiovascular disease. Her academic credentials include a Bachelor of Science (BSN) in nursing, (RN) registered nurse licensure, postgraduate training including preliminary degree work as clinical nurse specialist, Legal Consultant Certification, Clinical Research Coordinator Certification from Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) and a Master of Science (MSN) in nursing with a concentration in research from Drexel University.
Her research experience began in industry and continued for 14 years in the research roles of clinical study monitor, clinical research associate (CRA) as well as a clinical study manager at an internal contract research organization(CRO).
Wendy’s academic research experience is as a clinical research nurse coordinator on multi-disciplinary research team for 19 years and working on approximately 70 studies. Her research efforts ranged from industry sponsored device trials, Phase II and Phase III drug trials, NIH granted studies, leading health care organization granted studies, investigator-initiated studies, observational registries, outcomes studies and collaborative neuro psychological projects centered on Alzheimer’s Disease. Additionally, her research efforts have led to authorship on peer reviewed academic publications.
Allison B. Reiss, M.D.
Allison B. Reiss, M.D., is an internal medicine physician, educator and molecular biologist who studies the immune and inflammatory mechanisms that promote the development of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of cognitive impairment. Her research is directed toward finding effective therapies for these disease states.
Dr. Reiss is Head of The Inflammation Laboratory and Associate Professor of Medicine at NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine. She received her M.D. from the State University of New York – Downstate College of Medicine and completed her Internal Medicine Residency at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey – Rutgers. She is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine.
Dr. Reiss is a member of the Medical, Scientific & Memory Screening Advisory Board of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. She is well-published in medical and scientific journals and has chaired symposia at national and international conferences. Dr. Reiss is Section Editor-in-Chief of Neurology for Medicina and Specialty Chief Editor of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias for the journal Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience. She is on the editorial board of the Journal of Investigative Medicine and Reviews in Cardiovascular Medicine.
Dr. Reiss has a strong passion for community outreach and is dedicated to improving healthcare, especially for older populations.
Dr. Lora Kasselman, PhD
Dr. Lora Kasselman is currently a Research Biostatistician at Hackensack Meridian Health and an Associate Professor at Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine. Previously, she worked as a Research Scientist and Assistant Professor at NYU Winthrop Hospital and NYU Long Island School of Medicine.
Her PhD is in Psychology with a focus in behavioral neuroscience. She completed her postdoctoral training at Harvard Medical School and Penn State College of Medicine.
Several years ago her research interests led her to get her MPH in biostatistics and epidemiology at the CUNY School of Public health.
Romi Dave, BDS, MPH
Romi Dave is a REDCap Consultant specializing in database design, project implementation, and clinical data management.
With expertise in epidemiology and biostatistics, she also serves as a Clinical Research Coordinator I at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, supporting high-quality clinical research.
Exploring the Biopsychosocial Impact of Dementia Caregiving on Spousal Caregivers’ Health Outcomes
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