Megan Zuelsdorff, PhD

Dr. Megan Zuelsdorff is one of the nine 2020 WAM Research Grants Recipients, and one of four research studies WAM is funding as part of the Alzheimer’s Association RAPID program, designed by the Alzheimer’s Association to help accelerate research studies interrupted by Covid. Her study is trying to determine how a disadvantaged social environment contributes to an increased risk for Alzheimer’s. When Dr. Zuelsdorff became aware of the social disparities in Alzheimer’s and dementia risk in her area, she partnered with community members to build a better study. Her work prioritizes research and action that improves the inclusion of underrepresented communities in cognitive aging studies through accessible design, ongoing responsiveness to community stakeholders, and sustained service.

More about Dr. Megan Zuelsdorff

Dr. Megan Zuelsdorff is an Assistant Professor in the School of Nursing at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is an epidemiologist with research focused on identifying the aspects of our social environments and relationships that get “under the skin” over the life course to shape cognitive health in older age.

She leads the Stress and Resilience in Dementia (STRIDE) study in the Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. STRIDE seeks to clarify the relevance of stress-related physiological mechanisms for brain aging and cognitive function across diverse older populations – as well as the personal, community, and policy-based resources that can reduce risk for impairment. Dr. Zuelsdorff’s work prioritizes actions that ensure members of all communities can participate in and benefit from dementia research studies. She is dedicated to accessible study design, ongoing responsiveness to community stakeholders, and sustained service.

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