THE PATTERSON LAB: FAMILIES, CAREGIVING, AND DEMENTIA
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In the fall of 2023, I was able to meet a personal goal of establishing a lab, where I could mentor multiple students together at various levels (e.g., early career, graduate, undergraduate).
Projects focus on families, caregiving, and dementia - including both attitudes and behavior. Students are encouraged to conduct independent work alongside our collaborations.
I am really proud to be a 2024-2025 Outstanding Research Mentor Award Recipient through the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP).
You can read more about each scholar by clicking their name on the right or scrolling down.
CURRENT STUDENTS: GRADUATE, MEDICAL STUDENTS, UNDERGRAD
Kelsi Caywood
Kelsi Caywood
I am a PhD candidate in Sociology and a predoctoral trainee in social demography at the Population Studies Center, University of Michigan. I work in the Patterson Lab on collaborative projects examining family caregiving dynamics. My research focuses on comparative gender inequality, family, and work in the United States and East Asia. Read more here.
Supported through the National Institute on Aging
John Biziorek
John Biziorek
I am a second year medical student at the University of Michigan Medical School interested in street medicine, surgery, and public policy (specifically affecting social support programs) originally from Chicago, IL. Following medical school, I hope to either work in health policy or in community-based clinics, serving the unisured and unhoused. I am working with Dr. Patterson as part of the 2025 IHPI Fellowship, focusing on the attitudes regarding the quality and cost of long term care; understanding the sociological implications of aging and caregiving is of utmost importance to medicine and my future career as a disparity-oriented physician.
Supported through the 2025 IHPI Summer Fellowship
Effy Tang
Effy Tang
I am a first-year Master’s student in Michigan Program in Survey and Data Science (MPSDS). I previously completed the Master of Supply Chain Management program at Ross Business School and earned my B.S. in Mathematics and Economics with a minor in Statistics at U of M. My interests focus on using data science and analytics to improve decision-making in business and policy contexts.
Supported through the 2025–2026 James M. Lepkowski Junior Faculty Research Support Award
Lauren MacConnachie
Lauren MacConnachie
I am a PhD candidate in Epidemiology at the Center for Lifecourse Epidemiology and Aging Research, University of Michigan. Dr. Patterson is a key member of my dissertation committee, as my research explores patterns of caregiving and socioeconomic status across women's life course. You can learn more about me here.
Samantha Pantelic
Samantha Pantelic
I am a senior, majoring in Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience on a Pre-Medical track. I am currently working in the Patterson Lab as a UROP Research Scholar, but I began working with Dr. Patterson in 2023 through the traditional UROP program and the Biomedical and Life Sciences Summer Fellowship, assisting with literature reviews on the meaning of family, focus groups and cognitive interviews with ADRD caregivers, and qualitative analyses. My passion lies in learning about human experiences as well as the identities and resources that influence one's health, well-being, and access to the medical system.
Supported through the UROP Research Scholars program
"Through my work in the lab, I have gained valuable experience analyzing literature, interpreting findings, and considering how population-level perspectives can shape interventions and policies that support the health and well-being of older adults. This perspective is one I hope to carry into my future clinical practice, ensuring that my work in healthcare is guided by an understanding of broader public health principles." - Faith S. (UROP student)
EARLY CAREER SCHOLARS
I work and have worked with a variety of early career scholars on various project. I have mentored students through the Work-Family Researchers Network (WFRN) as well as through more informal channels. Please click on the scholar's name below to read more about them:
PREVIOUS UROP STUDENTS: Fall 2017 - Present
Read more about UROP students below:
From 2023 to 2026, I originally worked with Faith S. through the UROP program as a Freshman and continued to work with her on our recently published project on the importance of social sciences in understanding family experiences of caring for a personw dementia.
During the summer of 2024, I worked with Siraad B. on a project researching community advisory boards. She is a Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology major on a Pre-Medical track with a passion for immunology.
Starting the summer of 2023 and through her graduation in 2025, I worked with Olivia M., an International Studies major and a Gender and Health minor, through the UROP Women and Gender Summer Fellowship Program and Research Scholars program. Olivia worked on a focus group study, including putting together recruitment materials (e.g., flyers, an eligibility screener, informed consent documents), recruiting, and assisting with conducting the focus groups. She also recently published an independent essay focused on gender and sexuality in Greek Life.
During the 2022-2023 school year, I worked with Avery C., on literature review, codebooks, and survey item reviews regarding attitudes toward care for older adults. These materials were used to document study measures used in a forthcoming paper.
From fall 2020 to spring 2022, I co-mentored Nora L., a political science major alongside Dr. Mengyao Hu. Nora conducted literature reviews, survey item review, and assisted with writing a co-authored, published paper. In addition, I hired Nora during the summer of 2021 on a project about families and care for an older adult with dementia with generous funding from the Institute for Social Research (ISR) Next Generation Small Grant Award Weinberg Endowments.
During the 2019-2020 school year I worked with Andrew A. on literature review and secondary research as a UROP Research Scholar. We collaborated on a published book chapter. Andrew is currently completing a Master's in Social Work at the University of Michigan.
Faith S.
Faith S.
Siraad B.
Siraad B.
Olivia M.
Olivia M.
Population Association of America (PAA) 2024
Survey Methodology Program
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