Yura Lee, PhD

Associate Professor, Helen Bader School of Social Welfare
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Adjunct Member, Rutgers Institute for Health, Health Care Policy and Aging Research

Dr. Yura Lee’s research primarily focuses on individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) and their caregivers. Dr. Lee’s dedication to ADRD research stems from her personal experience as a primary caregiver for her grandfather, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. This experience has significantly influenced her gerontological social work research, which centers on two key areas: (a) identifying risk and protective factors for ADRD and age-related cognitive decline, and (b) understanding the needs and challenges faced by dementia caregivers to develop caregiver support programs using assistive technology. Dr. Lee has investigated a range of risk and protective factors for cognition, primarily guided by the cognitive reserve theory, including educational attainment, life transitions (e.g., retirement, widowhood), multiple chronic conditions, late-life engagement in activities (mental, physical, and social), and sociocultural factors (e.g., acculturation and social support). She has further explored biopsychosocial mechanisms that help elucidate pathways to health disparities in ADRD.

Dr. Lee is currently the principal investigator for the “Going Home” project, a reminiscence intervention for individuals with dementia and their family caregivers using virtual reality, funded by the Alzheimer’s Association. She also collaborates on several interdisciplinary aging research teams with scholars from diverse fields, including neurology, nursing, public health, information studies, and biomedical engineering. These projects focus on dementia care interventions and caregiver support programs utilizing assistive technology, such as (1) developing a digital memory book to enhance communication between persons with dementia and their care partners and (2) testing a digital self-care platform to enhance self-efficacy for those with dementia and other chronic conditions.