Focus
Neurodegenerative and Neurodevelopmental Conditions
Biography
As a public health social worker, Dr. Burke’s research focuses on cognition and cognitive impairment, including neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease. Her focus is on identifying midlife risk factors for late-life neurodegeneration, and the utilization of multi-modal assessment procedures, diagnostic methods, and interventions targeting cognitive impairments and chronic diseases across the lifespan.
More recently, Dr. Burke’s research investigations have focused on midlife risk factors for later-in-life neurodegeneration. With both internal funding and funding NIH, Dr. Burke has investigated the role of sleep as a risk factor for cognitive impacts in 40-60-year-old adults with first-degree relatives diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Building upon these investigations, Dr. Burke was awarded funding from NIH to study the interactions between the gut microbiome, sleep, and cognition in 40-60-year-old adults with at least one first-degree relative diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.
In 2017, Dr. Burke was awarded the New Investigator Award from the American Society of Clinical Psychopharmacology. In 2021, Dr. Burke was named Educator of the Year by the National Association of Social Workers, Miami-Dade chapter. Later that same year, she was named Educator of the Year by the statewide Florida chapter of the National Association of Social Workers. In 2024, she was awarded the Faculty Senate Award for Advising and Mentorship.
Education
- Simmons University, Ph.D.
- Springfield College, MSW
- Smith College, BA
- Bard College at Simon’s Rock, AA
- Florida International University, MPH