Kalisha Bonds Johnson, PhD, RN, PMHNP-BC, is an Assistant Professor, Tenure track at Emory University’s Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing in Atlanta, Georgia. She graduated from The University of Tennessee at Martin with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2007. She graduated with a Master of Science in Nursing in 2012 from Vanderbilt University, specializing as a Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Most recently, Dr. Bonds Johnson graduated with a PhD from Oregon Health & Science University in 2019. During her PhD program, she was funded through several mechanisms, including the SAMHSA at American Nurses Association Minority Fellowship Program and the Jonas Foundation as a Veterans Healthcare Scholar. In her PhD studies, Dr. Bonds Johnson focused on how the caregiving experiences of African American dementia dyads (i.e., African American persons living with dementia and their African American family caregivers) were associated with their quality of life. Specifically, Dr. Bonds Johnson focused on interpersonal factors such as decision making  and the relationship quality. In her postdoctoral fellowship, she advanced this line of inquiry to focus on the decision-making processes regarding healthcare services for African American persons living with dementia and how these decision-making processes affect the quality of life of African American persons living with dementia and their families. Dr. Bonds Johnson hopes to improve health outcomes from African American persons living with dementia and their families through the development of culturally tailored clinical interventions. She serves as the Past Chair of GSA’s Emerging Scholar and Professional Organization (ESPO).

Lauren Bouchard, PhD, is a social gerontologist and educator who utilizes mixed methodology and qualitative research to explore aging and health within community settings. Dr. Bouchard’s research interests include resilience narratives, social connectedness, faith communities, and LGBTQ aging. They have published research in the Journal of Career Development, Journal of Religion, Spirituality and Aging, Journal of Aging and Mental Health, and the Clinical Gerontologist. Dr. Bouchard is a proud and active member of the Academy for Gerontology in Higher Education (AGHE) section of the Gerontological Society of America (GSA). They are the faculty advisor for the Portland State University GSA Student Chapter.

Giuliana Casanova, MSW, is a third-year doctoral student in Gerontology and Geriatrics at the University of Porto, Portugal, in conjunction with the University of Aveiro. With a background in Social Work and a keen interest in productive engagement in later life, she conducts research at CINTESIS, focusing on adult education and lifelong learning. She is the founder and president of the first international GSA student chapter, established in 2022. Giuliana has received accolades including the James McKenney Travel Award and the Student Leadership Award from GSA. Dedicated to making a meaningful impact through her work, she seeks to advance understanding and support for older populations and serve as a vehicle for international collaborations and networking.

Wenxing Wei, MSW, LMSW, is a doctoral candidate in social welfare at Case Western Reserve University. His research interests include elder abuse, the impact of childhood abuse in later adulthood, health outcomes, and racial and ethnic disparities. His goal is to promote the quality of life for older adults exposed to violence, with a particular focus on addressing the unique challenges faced by racial minorities.