Recently, we spoke with REC Scholar Melissa Harris-Gersten, now a VA Research Health Scientist, about her path to Alzheimer’s research, how she became connected with the Duke/UNC ADRC, and her plans for the future.

Tell us a little bit about you, where you are from, and how you came to North Carolina.

I moved around a lot growing up but spent most of my formative years in Oklahoma and Iowa. Most recently I am from Michigan where I received my PhD in Nursing from U-M (go blue!). I moved to Durham to join the 2-year National Clinician Scholars Program (NCSP) postdoctoral fellowship at Duke and the Durham VA. I had every intention of moving back to Michigan after the fellowship but fell in love with my work here and North Carolina in general, and ultimately decided to put down roots for the first time in my life.

We would love to know how you got into Alzheimer’s research. What do you like about it?

My clinical background is in inpatient geriatric-psych where I worked with older adults with mental health conditions, most of whom were also living with dementia. I like this area of research and clinical practice because every little bit seems to help. Families struggle so much with this disease and mainstream treatment options are so limited, that every new option, every new finding, is meaningful and appreciated. There is a lot of room to be innovative and creative, which is something I need to feel fulfilled in the work that I do.

How did you come to work with Dr. Hastings, and become connected with the Duke/UNC ADRC?

Dr. Hastings is the director of the Durham VA’s Center of Innovation to Accelerate Discovery and Practice Transformation (ADAPT), which was the VA administrative home of my NCSP fellowship. Dr. Hastings is a geriatrician and expert health services researcher, which is how we became connected. I have learned so much from her mentorship and consider her to be one of the greatest influences on my career.

What interactions have you had with the ADRC so far? What has been most impactful?

I have had many interactions with the ADRC including presenting my REC project at both SLAM-DUNC events and presenting multiple times at IDEAS Forums. I’ve collaborated with mentors across institutions and had the opportunity to receive feedback from diverse audiences. The SLAM DUNC also offered a great opportunity for undergrad and graduate students involved in my Duke University Bass Connections project to disseminate our research findings focused on the financial well-being of people living with dementia and their care partners. The most impactful interaction has been receiving mentorship from Dr. Donna Roberson at ECU, which is a relationship I would likely not have had the opportunity to cultivate if not for my REC award.

What have you gained from your participation in the REC Scholar program?

I have expanded my mentorship and collaborator network, generated preliminary data needed to jumpstart my program of research, received support from multiple Cores within the ADRC, and have had several presentation and career development opportunities.

What research are you doing now?

In my role as a VA Research Health Scientist, I am studying ways to implement, evaluate and optimize services and supports for caregivers of Veterans living with chronic conditions and disability. I always try to include a dementia-specific element to my work. For example, I am leading a national evaluation to determine what drives caregivers to use VA respite services and am focusing specifically on identifying drivers that are unique to caregivers of Veterans living with dementia.

What future work is being informed by your REC research and collaborations?

I am preparing a grant proposal to pilot test the intervention developed through my REC award and plan to submit for funding through the NIA or the Alzheimer’s Association. I am also using knowledge and collaborations gained from my time as a REC scholar to develop a VA career development award application focused on tailoring a care coordination intervention for rural dwelling Veterans living with dementia and their caregivers.

What are your career plans after completing your REC Scholar term?

I will continue to build my program of research in family-centered dementia care within the context of the VA and hope to secure an academic appointment to continue to advance the evidence-base for the stress management toolkit intervention developed through my REC award.

You can read more about the development of Melissa’s stress management toolkit for people living with dementia (PLWD) and their care partners here. She shared updates on her progress at the 2023 SLAM DUNC. Melissa also developed a module on The Mental and Social Wellness Continuum and Stress in Dementia for our ADRD Research Curriculum, which can be viewed here.