DAR (Diversity in Aging Research) Team

The DAR team is committed to advancing science that addresses neurocognitive disparities and promotes neurocognitive health equity in aging. We aim to develop accessible, sustainable, and ethical research that includes and benefits all by focusing our efforts on groups that have been underrepresented in science. We seek to promote an environment that fosters a sense of belonging in science among trainees, staff, and faculty from all backgrounds and allows all to thrive.

You can make a difference in the community today! Join one of our studies.

Latinos, Memory and Thinking (LAMP): This study seeks to understand how Spanish-speaking people living in the US perform cognitive tests (meaning tests of memory and other thinking skills).

Neurocognitive Impairment and Cardiovascular Risk in Parkinson's Disease: This study seeks to understand factors associated with problems with cognition (i.e., memory, and other thinking skills) in persons with Parkinson’s Disease of diverse backgrounds. Such understanding will help guide the development of interventions to reduce problems with cognition in persons with Parkinson’s Disease.

Publications

2024

Community-Based Participatory Research Empowers People Living with Dementia to be Research Collaborators.

Authors: Griffith, E. E., Lepore, M., & Monin, J. K.
Publisher: The Gerontologist
This article shares community-engaged recommendations for making research with people living with Alzheimer’s and related dementias more inclusive, collaborative, and impactful.

Read this article

Griffith EE. (2023). “Recruiting Participants for Dementia Research Without Saying ‘Dementia’: A Site Study in Central Mexico.” In: Anthropological Perspectives on Aging, BM Howell & RP Harrod eds., University of Press of Florida.

Griffith EE, Dampier JEE, Hart CM, Harper RW. (2022). “Food, Medicine, or Heat? How Firewood Banks Leverage Local Natural Resources to Support Fuel-Poor Households.” Journal of Rural and Community Development, 17(3).

Marquine, María J., Adam Parks, Jaime Perales-Puchalt, David A. González, Mónica Rosado-Bruno, Rebecca North, Carl Pieper, et al. “Demographically-adjusted normative data among Latinos for the version 3 of the Alzheimer's Disease Centers' Neuropsychological Test Battery in the Uniform Data Set.” Alzheimers Dement 19, no. 9 (September 2023): 4174–86. https://doi.org/10.1002/alz.13313.

Marquine, María J., Adam Parks, Jaime Perales-Puchalt, David A. González, Mónica Rosado-Bruno, Rebecca North, Carl Pieper, et al. “Demographically-adjusted normative data among Latinos for the version 3 of the Alzheimer's Disease Centers' Neuropsychological Test Battery in the Uniform Data Set.” Alzheimers Dement 19, no. 9 (September 2023): 4174–86. https://doi.org/10.1002/alz.13313.

El Husseini, Nada, Irene L. Katzan, Natalia S. Rost, Margaret Lehman Blake, Eeeseung Byun, Sarah T. Pendlebury, Hugo J. Aparicio, et al. “Cognitive Impairment After Ischemic and Hemorrhagic Stroke: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association.” Stroke 54, no. 6 (June 2023): e272–91. https://doi.org/10.1161/STR.0000000000000430.

Guareña, Lesley A., Lily Kamalyan, Caitlin Wei-Ming Watson, Kayle Karcher, Anya Umlauf, Erin Morgan, David Moore, et al. “Emotional health and its association with neurocognition in Hispanic and non-Hispanic White people with HIV.” J Int Neuropsychol Soc, April 20, 2023, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1355617723000188.

Marquine, M.J., Rivera Mindt, M., Umlauf, A., Suarez, P., Kamalyan, L., Morlett Predes, A., Yassai Gonzalez, D., Scott, T., Heaton, A., Diaz-Santos, M., Gooding, A., Artiola I Fortuny, L., Heaton, R.K., & Cherner, M. (2021). Introduction to the Neuropsychological Norms for the U.S.-Mexico Border Region in Spanish (NP-NUMBRS) Project. The Clinical Neuropsychologist (Norms for Spanish Speakers Special Issue); 35(2), 227-235.

Marquine, M.J., & Jimenez, D.E. (2020). Cultural and linguistic proficiency in mental health care: A crucial aspect of professional competence. International Psychogeriatrics, 32(1), 1-3.

Grants

Research and Mentoring on Neurocognitive Disparities in Aging 

Funding Source: National Institutes of Health

Award Period: 2023 – 2026

This NIH-funded initiative supports mentoring early-stage investigators while advancing research on cognitive aging disparities among underserved populations. The grant helps develop a pipeline of culturally responsive researchers who are committed to health equity and improving cognitive health outcomes in older adults across diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups.

Disparities in Neurocognitive Impairment among Hispanics/Latinos in the US with Parkinson’s Disease: The Role of Cardiovascular Risk (MJFF-020964)

Funding Source: Michael J. Fox Foundation

Award Period: Jan 2022 – Jan 2025
This project examines how cardiovascular risk factors—such as hypertension, diabetes, and obesity—contribute to cognitive decline in Hispanic/Latino individuals with Parkinson’s disease. By focusing on a modifiable risk factor, the study aims to inform future interventions that could improve cognitive outcomes and quality of life for one of the most vulnerable and underserved groups affected by PD.

• Apple Podcast: Navigating Neuropsychology “Neuropsychological Norms for Spanish Speaking People in the U.S. A podcast episode highlighting efforts to create inclusive, culturally-informed cognitive testing norms for Spanish speakers in the U.S., featuring discussion on health equity and neuropsychological research practices.

• The San Diego Union Tribute  (Spanish) “ La demencia afecta a la comunidad latina y hay que poner atención”An article calling attention to the disproportionate burden of dementia in Latino communities and the need for early detection, community outreach, and culturally relevant resources.

• The San Diego Union Tribute  Spanish “Es posible mantener la mente saludable a medida que vamos envejeciendo?”This piece explores tips for maintaining brain health as we age, with expert input on nutrition, exercise, social connection, and the importance of participating in research.

• The San Diego Union Tribune in (Spanish) “El Alzheimer es una enfermedad que afecta el cerebro”A public-facing explanation of how Alzheimer’s disease impacts the brain, including early symptoms, progression, and the importance of seeking medical guidance.

• Neurology Live: "Positive Life Change During Pandemic Linked to Fewer Cognitive Symptoms Among Latin American Elderly” Coverage of research showing that positive lifestyle changes during the COVID-19 pandemic—such as increased family connection or healthy habits—were associated with reduced cognitive symptoms in older Latin Americans.

• The San Diego Union Tribute (Spanish) “¿Por qué es importante que los latinos participemos en investigaciones sobre envejecimiento saludable?”A call-to-action encouraging Latino community members to participate in aging research studies, emphasizing representation, equity, and improved care outcomes.

• Duke University School of Medicine press “Leveling the Playing Field: Maria Marquine's Mission to Advance Latino Health Equity” A spotlight on Dr. Marquine’s work building equity in cognitive aging research through mentorship, community engagement, and advocacy for structural change.

• The Florida Times-Union “Conversations with 'la familia' about aging and Alzheimer’s disease” – Lizbeth Vera Murillo A feature on the importance of intergenerational dialogue in Latino families about aging, memory loss, and how to support loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease.

• Aqui en tu comunidad, Tu 18JAX “Part 1” and “Part 2” A two-part Spanish-language television segment highlighting community-based research on aging and dementia, with interviews about risk factors, prevention, and the value of Latino participation in studies.

María Marquine, PhD

Dr. Marquine is an Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine (Geriatrics Division) and the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Duke Univesrity, and is Associate Scientific Director for Research Career Development in the Duke Aging Center.  Originally from Uruguay, she is a bilingual (Spanish/English) clinical scientist and neuropsychologist. Her research focuses on addressing neurocognitive disparities in aging and promoting health equity.

Marianne Chanti-Ketterl

Dr. Chanti-Ketterl is a bilingual gerontologist (Spanish/English) with expertise in the epidemiology of aging. Her research focuses on how environmental exposures—the exposome—affect cognitive function and the development of Alzheimer’s disease, related dementias, and other neurodegenerative conditions such as Parkinson’s disease. She explores a range of factors, including pesticide and toxic chemical exposure, social determinants of health, traumatic brain injury, metabolic biomarkers, cognitive resilience, and interventions such as cognitive training. She is also interested in research involving artificial intelligence and machine learning methodologies. She welcomes opportunities for academic collaboration.

Lizbeth Vera Murillo, MS

Hola! I am a bilingual (English/Spanish) clinical research coordinator, originally from Ecuador. I obtained my Bachelor’s in Psychology at Youngstown State University and my Master’s in Psychological Science at the University of North Florida. My research focuses on neurocognitive health equity for Latinos/Hispanos and Black/African Americans, mainly through promoting the recruitment and retention of these groups in research studies. In my current role at Duke, I am focused on helping the lab address neuropsychological test standards for Spanish Speakers with the LAMP (Latinos, Memoria y Pensamiento) study and prevent cognitive problems with our Parkinson’s study

Leo Sanabria

Leo Sanabria is a senior at Duke University, majoring in Biology with a strong interest in health equity and neurocognition. He is interested in understanding how the lived experiences of Latino communities shape cognitive health and healthcare outcomes, particularly in comparison to other populations. He is especially curious about how structural and cultural factors—such as language, socioeconomic status, and access to care—contribute to disparities in cognitive aging and disease presentation. More broadly, Leo is committed to research and initiatives that center racial and ethnic minorities in healthcare, to advance more equitable, accessible, and culturally responsive care.

Eric Griffith, PhD

Dr. Eric Griffith received his Ph.D. in anthropology from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and then worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow at Duke's Samuel DuBois Cook Center on Social Equity. He completed his dissertation fieldwork in central Mexico, focusing on the experiences of familial caregivers for people living with Alzheimer’s disease. Eric’s research interests include biocultural anthropology, cognitive aging, health disparities, and social determinants of health. He is currently a T32 Postdoctoral Researcher in the Duke Aging Center, working under the direction of Dr. Maria Marquine.

Call us at 919-681-6813

Call or text: 984-369-3424

Email: DAR-T_TEAM@duke.edu or LAMPinfo@duke.edu

Equipo DAR 

El equipo de DAR está comprometido con el avance de la ciencia que aborda las disparidades neurocognitivas  en la salud neurocognitiva en el envejecimiento. Nuestro objetivo es desarrollar una investigación accesible, sostenible y ética que incluya y beneficie a todos en la ciencia. Buscamos promover un entorno que fomente un sentido de pertenencia a la ciencia entre los alumnos, el personal y el profesorado de todos los orígenes y permita que todos prosperen.

Estudios

En las Noticias

The San Diego Union Tribute en Español “ La demencia afecta a la comunidad latina y hay que poner atención” by Dr. Marquine

The San Diego Union Tribute en Español “¿Por qué es importante que los latinos participemos en investigaciones sobre envejecimiento saludable?”

The San Diego Union Tribute en Español “Es posible mantener la mente saludable a medida que vamos envejeciendo?”

The San Diego Union Tribute en Español “El Alzheimer es una enfermedad que afecta el cerebro”

Aqui en tu comunidad, Tu 18JAX “Part 1” and “Part 2”

Equipo

María Marquine, PhD

La Dr. Marquine es profesora  en el Departamento de Medicina (División de Geriatría) y el Departamento de Psiquiatría y Ciencias del Comportamiento de la Universidad de Duke, y es director científico asociado para el desarrollo de carreras de investigación en el Duke Aging Center. Originaria de Uruguay, es científica clínica y neuropsicóloga bilingüe (español/inglés). Su investigación se centra en abordar las disparidades neurocognitivas en el envejecimiento.

¡Hola! Soy coordinadora de investigación clínica bilingüe (inglés/español), originaria de Ecuador. Obtuve mi Licenciatura de Psicología en la Universidad Estatal de Youngstown y mi Maestría de Ciencias Psicológicas en la Universidad del Norte de Florida. Mi investigación se enfoca en la equidad de salud neurocognitiva mediante el reclutamiento y la retención en estudios de investigación. En mi trabajo actual en Duke, ayudo al laboratorio con el estudio LAMP (Latinos, Memoria y Pensamiento) para investigar los estándares de pruebas neuropsicológicas para hispanohablantes. Cuando no estoy trabajando, me gusta cocinar, hornear, pintar y leer.

Eric Griffith, PhD

El Dr. Eric Griffith recibió su doctorado de antropología de la Universidad de Massachusetts Amherst y trabajó como becario postdoctoral en el Centro Samuel DuBois Cook sobre Equidad Social de Duke. Completó su trabajo de tesis en el centro de México, enfocándose en las experiencias de los cuidadores de familiares que viven con la enfermedad de Alzheimer. Los temas de investigación de Eric incluyen la antropología biocultural, el envejecimiento cognitivo, las disparidades en la salud y los determinantes sociales de la salud. Actualmente es Investigador Postdoctoral T32 en el Duke Aging Center, trabajando bajo la dirección de la Dra. María Marquine.

Fernanda Ochoa Toro

Póngase en Contacto con Nuestro Equipo

Para ponerse en contacto con nosotros por favor llame al 919-681-6813 o mande un correo electrónico a lampinfo@duke.edu