Productive Aging and Older Adults
Dr. Chen presented at three major academic conferences with 14 presentations in 2025-2026.
Digital Health Technology and Older Adults
Dr. Chen’s scoping review on technology for older adults with dementia to age in place was published by Current Geriatrics Report!
Our research “Relationship-Centered Care for Formal and Informal Caregivers of Persons Living with Dementia: VR and Multi-modal Approaches”was awarded $29,958 USD by the College of Public Health Pilot Award.
Our work on virtual reality training in dementia care for nursing home direct care workers with Jolly Good Inc. was featured as an impactful research in the College Annual Impact Report and University’s official SPIRIT magazine!
Relationship Centered Care and Older Adults
Our dementia training on relationship centered care approach was accepted at the NASW VA Chapter Annual Conference in Newport News, VA for March 2026 and as a course at Osher Lifelong Learning Institute in Fairfax, VA for April 2026.
Policy Practice
Dr. Chen has written an advocacy brief for GSA Advocacy Day on the Hill. Find it here. She has been highlighted on the University website, too.
Dr. Chen and Professor Tomaszweski kicks off a year long Human Rights Dialogue Series with UN Independent Expert on Human Rights, Dr. Claudia Mahler and Dean Melissa Perry as speakers. The series continues till April 2026.
Student Projects
Morgan Parker
Morgan is working on the topic of health and digital technology and its relation with ageism with the research question, “How does health and digital technology create or dispels ageism?” She is currently conducting a literature review on the topic. She will present her findings at the online SWiRL student presentation this Spring 2026.
Gabrielle Okello
Gaby is assisting Morgan on her topic as well as specifically investigating how Virtual Reality (VR) technology impacts ageism issues. She is also conducting a literature review on the topic. She will present her findings at the online SWiRL student presentation this Spring 2026.