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Dr. Lauren J. Parker is a nationally recognized public health scientist and thought leader whose work advances health equity in dementia care. As an Associate Scientist at the Johns ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½, Dr. Parker’s research and advocacy focus on improving how families—particularly African American and Hispanic caregivers—access and experience dementia care across the U.S.

Her work bridges science, community engagement, and policy. She leads a federally funded clinical trial, Tailored Activity Program in Adult Day Services, which evaluates culturally responsive strategies to improve the quality of life for people living with dementia and their caregivers. Her broader research investigates how adult day services and other home- and community-based supports can reduce caregiver stress and delay institutionalization—especially in underserved communities. By combining biological and psychosocial indicators, her research offers a holistic view of caregiver well-being.

Dr. Parker is a Co-Investigator of the State Alzheimer’s Research Support Center (StARS), contributing to the Partnership and Engagement Core and the 4U Team, where she helps states build partnerships and pilot scalable solutions to improve the affordability, accessibility, and coordination of dementia care nationwide.

Her leadership is grounded in equity and real-world impact. She serves on the Health Equity Task Force of the CDC-funded Public Health Center of Excellence (PHCOE) in Dementia Caregiving and sits on the Research Committee of the National Adult Day Services Association (NADSA). Dr. Parker has helped adapt national dementia care interventions for both Black and Latino families, ensuring they reflect the lived experiences of diverse populations.

In addition to her research, Dr. Parker is Co-Director of the Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) Custom Track at Johns Hopkins, mentoring the next generation of public health leaders in applied practice, implementation science, and health equity.

Dr. Parker earned her dual-title PhD in Gerontology and Health Promotion from Purdue University, completed her postdoctoral training at Johns Hopkins, and holds a BA in Sociology from Hampton University.

Through her work, Dr. Parker is building a future where all families—regardless of race, language, or income—can access dignified, culturally responsive dementia care.