Scientific Advisory Panel | Johns Hopkins Alzheimer's Disease Resource Center for Minority Aging Research

This centers scientific advisory panel consists of distinguished investigators with relevant expertise in minority aging, disparities and ADRD. This panel has been convened to help this center advance the field of ADRD-relevant research, and to participate in the evaluation of the cores and of the center as a whole.

Keith E. Whitfield, PhD (Chair) is Provost of University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Previously, he was Vice Provost for Academic Affairs at Duke University, and held appointments as Professor in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Research Professor in the Department of Geriatric Medicine at Duke University Medical Center, and Senior Fellow at the Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development.
Sherry L. Willis, PhD is Research Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Washington. She is Co-Director of the Seattle Longitudinal Study with Dr. K. Warner Schaie, founding director. She is also a PI on the Advanced Cognitive Training for Independent and Vital Elderly (ACTIVE) randomized clinical trial of cognitive training in normal elderly.
Betsy D. Simon, MS is Founder and Director of the Zeta Healthy Aging Partnership (Z-HAP) in the South Park Heights Community of Baltimore City. Z-HAP was founded, developed, and implemented by Ms. Simons in 2009 to support the work done at the Zeta Center for Health Aging.
Carl V. Hill, PhD, MPH recently joined the Alzheimer's Association as Vice President, Scientific Engagement, where he is responsible for promoting the Alzheimer’s Association’s international research program, and launching initiatives related to public health and engagement of physicians, and other healthcare professionals. Dr. Hill previously served as Director of the Office of Special Populations in the NIA at the NIH.
Esther Oh, MD, PhD is an Associate Professor of Medicine, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Pathology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. She has extensive experience in evaluating memory disorders in older adults with multiple chronic diseases. Dr. Oh also serves as the Associate Director of the Johns Hopkins Memory and Alzheimer’s Treatment Center.
Sarah L. Szanton, PhD, ANP, FAAN is a Professor in the Department of Community-Public Health in the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing and the Director of the Center for Innovative Care in Aging, where she leads the School’s efforts in advancing and supporting the health and well-being of older adults and their families. A goal of Dr. Szanton’s research is to help seniors “age in place.”
Antonio J. Trujillo, PhD, MPP is an Associate Professor in the Department of International Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health with expertise in health economics, behavioral economics, and applied econometrics. Dr. Trujillo is Director of the Master of Health Science (MHS) in Global Health Economics degree program.
Jeremy D. Walston, MD is the Raymond and Anna Lublin Professor of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology, the Deputy Director of the Division of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology, the Principal Investigator of the Johns Hopkins Older Americans Independence Center, and the Co-Director of the Biology of Health Aging Program. His research focus is on determining the biological characteristics that promote resiliency and health aging, and on the translation of that knowledge into diagnostic, preventive, and treatment strategies that promote a long and healthy life.