Heather E. Whitson, MD, MHS- Aging Center Director
Duke School of Medicine Distinguished Professor in Neuroscience
Professor of Medicine, Ophthalmology, Neurology, and Head & Neck Surgery and Communication Sciences
Director, Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development (Duke Aging Center)
Co-Director, Duke & UNC Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (Duke/UNC ADRC)
Sara Patillo, MSHS, CCRP, PMP - Chief Administrative Officer
Sara Patillo provides programmatic, administrative, and operational leadership for the Duke Aging Center and the Duke/UNC Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (Duke/UNC ADRC). She holds a Bachelor of Science in Clinical Laboratory Sciences and a Master’s Degree in Clinical and Translational Research from George Washington University. Sara is also certified as a Medical Technologist, Clinical Research Professional (CCRP), and Project Management Professional (PMP).
Associate Scientific Directors
Associate Professor of Sociology
W.L.F. Endowed Chair
Director, Center on Health & Society
Associate Scientific Director of Social Sciences
Associate Professor of Medicine (Geriatrics Division)
Associate Professor of Psychiatry
Associate Scientific Director of Research Career Development
Assistant Professor in Biostatistics & Bioinformatics
Director of Data Science and Statistics Lab DSSL
Associate Professor of Medicine
Associate Professor in Biostatistics & Bioinformatics
Associate Professor in Head and Neck Surgery & Communication Sciences
Associate Scientific Director for Informatics & Artificial Intelligence
Administrative Team
Trish McMillan - Business Manager
Martha Payne - Senior Research Project Manager
Michelle Cooley - Administrative Coordinator
Heather Ellis - Senior Grants and Contracts Manager Research Admin Support Resource (RASR)
Laura Ocasio - Staff Assistant
Sandra Arizmendi - Assistant to Dr. Whitson - phone: 919-660-7500
Senior Fellows Index