Category: Announcements

Linking Motion and Emotion

CDHA affiliate Jacob Meyer studies how movement can improve mental health — and how exercise might not just support well-being, but strengthen mental health treatment. He was recently featured for his current research on how movement can improve mental health — and how exercise might not just support well-being but strengthen mental health treatment. He is …

CDHA is proud to announce its support for EdSHARe’s Innovative Pilot Project to Harmonize Biomarker Data. 

CDHA is proud to support a high-impact pilot project designed to harmonize cutting-edge biomarker data across two foundational national panel studies: High School and Beyond (HS&B:80) and the National Longitudinal Study of the High School Class of 1972 (NLS:72). Originally established by the U.S. Department of Education to evaluate educational pathways and life course development, …

CDHA Partners in Renewed National Network to Expand Research on Early-Life Influences on Dementia

CDHA has joined as a key partner in the renewed Network on Early-Life Determinants, Biosocial Pathways, and Dementia (EdDem). Funded by the National Institute on Aging (NIA) through an R33 grant mechanism, the expanded network examines how a wider array of early-life social, environmental, and family conditions shape risk for and resilience against Alzheimer’s disease …

Meiyi Li selected for Institute on Aging’s prestigious 2026 New Investigator Award

Department of Sociology doctoral student Meiyi Li has been selected for the Institute on Aging’s (IOA) prestigious 2026 New Investigator Award. Li will present her award-winning research poster at the upcoming IOA Annual Colloquium. Li’s poster, titled “Parenting Children with Serious Health Conditions and Late-life Cognition: Life Course Associations and Gender Differences,” addresses a critical gap in …

Study linking environmental factors and Alzheimer’s disease awarded NIH funding

The Neighborhoods Study, a nationwide project led by CDHA affiliate Dr. Amy Kind has been awarded a $30.9 million NIH renewal grant to investigate how social and environmental factors influence Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. As the largest study of its kind linking the social exposome with brain tissues, the research will evaluate how lifelong exposures, such …

CDHA affiliate Maichou Lor is developing culturally sensitive tools to empower Hmong, caregivers

UW–Madison researchers are developing culturally sensitive tools to empower Hmong and other caregivers CDHA affiliate and emerging scholar pilot grantee Maichou Lor was recently featured for her innovative work addressing health communication barriers in marginalized populations. In collaboration with School of Pharmacy Professor Betty Chewning, Dr. Lor developed a culturally sensitive, visual pain assessment tool …

Congratulations, Yue Qin!

Yue Qin has been selected as recipients of the 2026 American Sociological Association Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grant (ASA DDRIG). This highly competitive national award, funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), recognizes doctoral students who demonstrate exceptional promise in advancing sociological knowledge. The grant will provide vital financial support to enhance the methodological quality …

Welcome Back, Lauren!

CDHA is thrilled to welcome back Lauren Schmitz as she resumes vital role as the Associate Director of Training following her sabbatical break! Lauren is an Associate Professor of Public Affairs at the La Follette School of Public Affairs and a dedicated member of the CDHA community. Her extensive research spans social genomics, health economics, …

CDHA Director Michal Engelman has New Role

Congratulations to CDHA Director Michal Engelman who was chosen to lead the RISE-THRIVE Collaboration Headquarters (HQ), bringing together experts working at the forefront of research on the healthspan and immunology.  The initiative supports cutting edge research on how the body defends against disease and how to extend the number of years people live healthy lives.

Celebrating Excellence: Kristin Litzelman Launches “In Care Of” Exhibition

Warmest Congrats to CDHA-affiliate and Associate Professor Kristin Litzelman On the successful launch of the new digital exhibition, In Care Of: Postcard-Sized Portrayals of Caregiving in Wisconsin. As a leading expert in Human Development & Family Studies, Kristin has dedicated her career to understanding the intricate relationships between caregivers and their loved ones. Her research and advocacy provide a …