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Jennifer
A.
Schrack
,
PhD

Associate Professor

Jennifer Schrack, PhD '11, MS, uses data from wearable technology to elucidate novel, modifiable mechanisms of physical and cognitive decline with aging.

Contact Info

615 N. Wolfe Street, Room E7144
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
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, Corkum AE, Freedman VA. COVID-19 pandemic experiences of older adults with dementia in community and residential care settings: Results from a US national survey. Alzheimers Dement (Amst). 2022 Dec 25;14(1):e12382. doi: 10.1002/dad2.12382. eCollection 2022. PMID: 36582364
  • Kuo PL, An Y, Gross AL, Tian Q, Zipunnikov V, Spira AP, Wanigatunga AA, Simonsick EM, Ferrucci L, Resnick SM, Schrack JA. Association between walking energy utilisation and longitudinal cognitive performance in older adults. Age Ageing. 2022 Dec 5;51(12):afac240. doi: 10.1093/ageing/afac240. PMID: 36571773
  • Dougherty RJ, Ramachandran J, Liu F, An Y, Wanigatunga AA, Tian Q, Bilgel M, Simonsick EM, Ferrucci L, Resnick SM, Schrack JA. Association of walking energetics with amyloid beta status: Findings from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging. Alzheimers Dement (Amst). 2021 Aug 20;13(1):e12228. doi: 10.1002/dad2.12228. eCollection 2021. PMID: 34458552
  • 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
Changes in Sensorimotor Function as Predictors of Preclincial Alzheimer's Disease
NHATS
Energy Expenditure, Physical Activity, and Alzheimer's Disease in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging