The MHAL Team
Amy Fiske, Ph.D.
Dr. Fiske is interested in the etiology of depression and suicidal behavior in late life and the implications for prevention. One focus is the interface between cognitive impairment and late-onset depression and suicide. Another emphasis is on the role of physical illness in depression and suicide among older adults.
Catherine Ju, M.S.
Catherine is interested in factors that lead to depression and suicidal ideation in older adulthood. She is especially interested in how perceived control and value placed on autonomy may relate to suicide risk in late life. Additionally, Catherine is working on a project to assess and improve behavioral sleep medicine knowledge and skills in geropsychologists and trainees.
Sabine Lohmar, M.S.
Sabine is interested in studying the onset of mental illness in late life as it relates to the development of chronic illness and neurodegenerative diseases. Her clinical interests include working with caregivers and older adults who are living with chronic illnesses (e.g., multiple sclerosis), neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., Alzheimer's; Parkinson's), or are experiencing some form of loss (e.g., grief). Her research and clinical interests generally inform one another and can be more broadly explained as an interest in older adults' adjustments to late life challenges including, but not limited to, the onset of chronic illness, cognitive decline, loss of loved ones, and a general loss of independence.
Jessica (Jong) Kim, M.A.
Jessica is primarily interested in studying the relationship between negative changes in sleep and its influence on mental health outcomes such as loneliness and depression in older adults. Her clinical interest is focused on delivering Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) as a treatment in older adults with sleep and mood disturbances. Additionally, she is interested in studying the role cognitive decline may play in sleep and mood disturbances.