Elizabeth Dugan, PhD, Fgsa
About Elizabeth Dugan, PhD, Fgsa
Elizabeth Dugan, PhD, Fgsa, is the Director of Global Aging and Life Course Studies and an Associate Professor of Gerontology at Umass Boston. She serves as a Commissioner for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, focusing on healthy aging and social innovation.
Work at UMass Boston
Elizabeth Dugan serves as the Director of Global Aging and Life Course Studies and is an Associate Professor of Gerontology at UMass Boston. She has held this position since 2008, contributing to the university's focus on research and education in the field of aging. Her role involves leading initiatives that analyze data related to healthy aging and addressing disparities in this area. UMass Boston is recognized as the only public research university in Boston, providing a platform for Dugan to engage in impactful research and community health efforts.
Current Roles in Massachusetts
Dugan currently holds multiple positions within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Since 2017, she has served as Commissioner on the Governor's Council to Address Aging Issues in Massachusetts. Additionally, she has been a Commissioner on the Advisory Board for the Determination of Need Healthy Aging Fund since 2018. In these roles, she leads teams that analyze data to identify disparities in healthy aging and assists states in preparing for an aging population.
Previous Experience in Research and Academia
Prior to her current roles, Elizabeth Dugan worked as a Senior Research Scientist at New England Research Institutes, Inc. from 2001 to 2004. She also served as an Assistant Professor at UMass Medical School from 2004 to 2008. Earlier in her career, she was an Assistant Professor and Project Manager at Wake Forest University from 1995 to 2001. These positions have contributed to her extensive expertise in gerontology and healthy aging.
Educational Background
Elizabeth Dugan holds a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Human Development and Philosophy from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She also earned a Master of Arts from the University of South Florida and a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies from the University of Central Florida. This diverse educational background supports her focus on social innovation and community health within the context of aging.
Achievements and Recognition
Dugan has been recognized for her contributions to the field of aging and health. She is an elected Fellow of the National Academy of Kinesiology, highlighting her professional standing. Additionally, her work has garnered attention in major media outlets, including a mention in the New York Times regarding the COVID death toll in America. She also operates the website www.healthyagingdatareports.org, which is related to her research in aging and life course studies.