Associate Professor, Sociology
Faculty Affiliate, Center for Aging and Policy Studies
Curriculum VitaeCAPS Biography:
I am a sociologist and demographer with the expertise in social science research on immigration, family, aging and population health. One strand of my research focuses on health and well-being of older immigrants in the United States, a growing, understudied, and often marginalized group. Using statistical analysis of the large scale population representative data sets, such as the National Health Interview Survey, American Community Survey and the Health and Retirement Study, my research seeks to uncover the sources of health disparities between older foreign-born and U.S.-born adults, as well as among the older immigrants. I am especially interested in understanding how public policies and experiences of marginalization or inclusion over the life-course, have promoted or hindered successful aging among the older foreign-born in the U.S. My past research highlights the impact of social factors, such as age at migration and citizenship, on health status of older foreign-born adults. My other projects focus on social disadvantages of older immigrants related to their limited English language proficiency and family structure. The second strand of my research explores changes in intergenerational relations over time and across different countries, exploring how new communication technology (e.g., cell phones) affects communication between generations within family. My most recent research project integrates genetics and social science research to tease out the relative contribution of the immigrant health selectivity and socio-environmental influences before and after migration on health of older immigrants in the U.S. and the U.K.
My research on older immigrants’ health and intergenerational relationships within families fits well with the both signature themes of CAPS, health and well-being and family and intergenerational support. My research on the impact of immigration policies on older immigrants’ health and well-being closely aligns with the cross-cutting themes of policy and specific populations.
