Dr. Baker is a professor in the UNC Department of Psychiatry. Her research focuses on pain management, health outcomes, and disparities among diverse and marginalized populations. Her research aims to deepen understanding of chronic pain in older minority groups and the role of social determinants of health. This involves developing and testing models to identify factors affecting pain and health behaviors, and creating intervention programs for better pain management in various settings. The goal of her research is to influence health policy and reduce disparities among underrepresented groups. 

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

Dr. Kimberly S. Johnson, MD, MHS is a Professor with Tenure in the Department of Medicine, Division of Geriatrics, Duke Palliative Care, and Senior Fellow in the Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina. Her research focuses on understanding and eliminating racial disparities in palliative and end-of-life care for seriously ill African Americans. She has led large national studies of hospice providers and multi-site studies to improve palliative care delivery.  Dr. Johnson has published widely and is nationally recognized for her work investigating how cultural beliefs and preferences and organizational practices and policies may influence the use of hospice care by older African Americans. 

As a licensed psychologist specializing in geropsychology,  Dr. Ramos' clinical and research focus is on enhancing the psychological well-being and quality of life for older adults managing co-morbid medical conditions and serious life-limiting illnesses. Her expertise includes delivering various evidence-based therapies such as CBT, ACT, MBCT, and MBSR, which are tailored to individual needs and therapy goals, aiming to foster personal growth and meaning.  Funded by the National Institute of Health, she leads oncology, aging, and palliative care-focused research projects to improve distress management, communication, and resilience of older adults and their caregivers. 

Dr. Ramos currently leads the DUKE-UNC ADAR peer group meetings.

Dr. Samanez-Larkin is a Jerry G. and Patricia Crawford Hubbard Professor in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience. His lab investigates how motivation, emotion, and cognition impact decision-making and health behaviors throughout life. He integrates various psychological, neuroscience, and economic fields, using methods like fMRI, PET, and wearable technology to study brain activity, physical behavior, and financial management. His research aim is to apply basic scientific discoveries to create interventions, products, or services that improve health and well-being.