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Jennifer
A.
Schrack
,
PhD

Director, Center on Aging and Health
Professor

Jennifer Schrack, PhD '11, MS, researches the intersection between movement and health, with the goal of maintaining mobility and functional independence with aging.

Contact Info

2024 E Monument St, Suite 2-700
Baltimore
Maryland
21205
US        

Research Interests

Aging; Physical Activity; Physical Function; Disability; Fatigability; Dementia

Experiences & Accomplishments
Education
PhD
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
2011
MS
University of Michigan
2002
Overview

Dr. Schrack's primary area of research is the epidemiological assessment of aging, movement, and disability. Movement and health are intrinsically linked; by measuring factors such as gait speed, physical activity, fatigability, and falls, Dr. Schrack is working to elucidate novel, modifiable mechanisms of physical and cognitive decline with aging.

She is the MPI of the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS), a study designed to provide a platform for studying late life disability trends and trajectories to improve health for older adults. She is also the PI or MPI of three NIA funded grants to understand interactions between movement and brain health.

Honors & Awards

2023 Director, Center on Aging and Health

2018 Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching: Honors in Public Health
2017 Johns Hopkins University Catalyst Award
2014 K01 Career Development Award, National Institute on Aging
2014 Johns Hopkins Roybal Center Faculty Pilot Award
2013 Johns Hopkins Center for AIDS Research Faculty Development Award

Select Publications

Selected publications

  • Schrack JA, Cai Y, Urbanek JK, Wanigatunga AA, Mitchell CM, Miller ER, Guralnik JM, Juraschek SP, Michos ED, Roth DL, Appel LJ. Association of vitamin D supplementation and serum vitamin D levels with physical activity in older adults: results from a randomized trial. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2023 Feb 23. PMID: 36821761

  • Schrack JA, Simonsick EM, Glynn NW. Fatigability: A Prognostic Indicator of Phenotypic Aging. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2020 Sep 16;75(9):e63-e66. PMID: 32936913

  • Schrack JA, Corkum AE, Freedman VA. COVID-19 pandemic experiences of older adults with dementia in community and residential care settings: Results from a U.S. national survey. 2022. Alzheimer’s & Dement (Amst). 2022 Dec 25;14(1):e12382. PMID: 36582364

  • Schrack JA, Cooper R, Koster A, Shiroma EJ, Murabito JM, Rejeski WJ, Ferrucci L, Harris TB. Assessing Daily Physical Activity in Older Adults: Unraveling the Complexity of Monitors, Measures, and Methods. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2016 Aug;71(8): 1039-48. PMID: 26967472

  • Schrack JA, Zipunnikov V, Goldsmith AJ, Crainiceanu CM, Simonsick EM, Ferrucci L.  Assessing the “Physical Cliff”: Detailed Quantification of Physical Activity and Aging. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2014 Aug;69(8):973-9. PMID: 24336819.

Projects
The National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS)
Novel Application of Digital Signals of Movement, Sleep and Heart Rhythms for Detection of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias
Changes in Sensorimotor Function as Predictors of Preclincial Alzheimer's Disease
Energy Expenditure, Physical Activity, and Alzheimer's Disease in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging