OUR TEAM OF EXPERTS
Driving Thought Leadership and Innovation
Meet a compassionate team singularly focused on improving the lives of older adults
Our researchers build their work on a solid foundation of education and expertise, as well as a passion for understanding aging issues and sharing relevant research with professionals in senior living and aging services in order to support innovation.
Catherine O’Brien, PhD, MPH
Senior Vice President
In addition to supervising translational research and various initiatives within the Institute, Dr. O’Brien plays a pivotal role in cultivating collaborative research partnerships with universities and professionals in the field of aging. Dr. O’Brien’s recent research endeavors encompass topics such as wellness in residents of Life Plan Communities, racial/ethnic diversity in Life Plan Communities, and a comprehensive survey examining the attitudes and interests of Generation X. Her educational background includes a master’s degree in public health (epidemiology) from San Diego State University and a doctoral degree in public health and community health sciences from the University of Illinois – Chicago.
Dr. O’Brien also oversees Mather’s Community Initiatives area of service, which is focused on providing wellness opportunities for older adults in Chicagoland, particularly in underserved neighborhoods. Current initiatives include Do-It-Together Creative Art Kits and programs focused on arts and wellness.
Dr. O’Brien Ages Well by skiing and reading non-fiction books (but not at the same time).
Selected Publications:
Khan, M.M., Hill, P.L. & O’Brien, C.J. (2023). Hope and healthy lifestyle behaviors in older adulthood, Aging & Mental Health, 27:7, 1436-1442, DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2023.2188171
Smith, J.L., Bihary, J.G., O’Connor, D., Basic, A., & O’Brien, C.J. (2020). Impact of savoring ability on the relationship between older adults’ activity engagement and well-being. Journal of Applied Gerontology. 39(3):323-331. doi:10.1177/0733464819871876
Piedra, L.M., Ridings, J., Howe, M.J.K., et al. (2020). Stakeholders’ ideas about positive aging for Latinos: A conceptual map. Journal of Applied Gerontology. doi:10.1177/0733464820935749
Treichler, E., Glorioso, D., Lee, E., Wu, T., Tu, X., Daly, R., O’Brien, C., Smith, J.L. & Jeste, D. (2020). A pragmatic trial of a group intervention in senior housing communities to increase resilience. International Psychogeriatrics, 32(2), 173-182. doi:10.1017/S1041610219002096
Nicholson, R. & O’Brien, C. (2017). Lessons learned from designing and evaluating an educational brain fitness program. Working with Older People, 21 (2):100-106, doi: 10.1108/WWOP-12-2016-0034
O’Brien, C., Smith, J. & Beck, D. (2016). Real relationships in a virtual world: Social engagement among older adults in Second Life. Gerontechnology, 15(3):171-179.
O’Brien, C. & Nicholson, R. (2015). Senior Living Residents’ Perceptions of the Boost Your Brain & Memory Program. Seniors Housing & Care Journal, 23(1): 45-57.
King, S., O’Brien, C., Edelman, P., & Fazio, S. (2011). Evaluation of the person centered care essentials program: Importance of trainers in achieving targeted outcomes. Gerontology & Geriatrics Education. 32(4): 379-395.
Edelman P., O’Brien C., Loftus E.M., & Engel R. (2010). Whole-person wellness in senior living: perspectives of 23 pioneering communities. Seniors Housing & Care Journal, 18(1): 53-65.
O’Brien C., Selod S., & Lamb K.V. (2009). A national initiative to train long-term care staff for disaster response and recovery. Journal of Public Health Management and Practice, Supplement.
Jennifer L. Smith, PhD
Assistant Vice President and Director
Dr. Smith conducts research on ways to enhance psychological well-being and resilience among older adults. She is also responsible for overseeing the Novare Engagement and Satisfaction Surveys for residents and employees and Mather’s Institutional Review Board.
Dr. Smith’s recent and ongoing research projects include a survey of attitudes and interests of Generation X, an evaluation of a volunteering/social action program for residents, a pilot of a resident wellness assessment, an evaluation of a resident wellness coaching program, a study of motivations for solitude among older adults, and a 5-year longitudinal study of the health and wellness of Life Plan Community residents.
She holds a doctorate degree in social psychology from Loyola University Chicago, where she completed her dissertation prior to joining Mather.
Dr. Smith Ages Well by painting and learning new skills and hobbies.
Selected Publications:
Fullen, M. C., Smith, J. L., Clarke, P. B., Westcott, J. B., McCoy, R., & Tomlin, C. C. (2023). Holistic wellness coaching for older adults: Preliminary evidence for a novel wellness intervention in senior living communities. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 42(3), 427-437. https://doi.org/10.1177/07334648221135582
Smith, J. L., Thomas, V., & Azmitia, M. (2023). Self-determination buffers the association between negative motivations for solitude and maladjustment among older adults. Personality and Individual Differences, 202, Article no. 111992. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2022.111992
Smith, J. L., Thomas, V., & Azmitia, M. (2023). Happy alone? Motivational profiles of solitude and well-being among senior living residents. International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 96(3), 312-334. https://doi.org/10.1177/00914150221112283
Smith, J. L., Clarke, P. B., & Fullen, M. C. (2023). Perceptions of aging and wellness engagement among life plan community residents. Educational Gerontology, 49, 240-250. https://doi.org/10.1080/03601277.2022.2101313
Menkin, J. A., Smith, J. L., & Bihary, J. G. (2022). Brief messages addressing aging increase physical activity motivation among older community-dwelling adults. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 41(2), 478-485. https://doi.org/10.1177/0733464820960925
Piedra, L. M., Ridings, J., Howe, M. J. K., Smith, J. L., O’Brien, C., Howard, A., & Conrad, K. J. (2021). Stakeholders’ ideas about positive aging for Latinos: A conceptual map. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 40(10), 1342-1355. https://doi.org/10.1177/0733464820935749
Bryant F. B., Osowski K. A., Smith J. L. (2021). Gratitude as a mediator of the effects of savoring on positive adjustment to aging. International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 92(3), 275-300. https://doi.org/10.1177/0091415020919999
Smith, J. L., Bihary, J. G., O’Connor, D., Basic, A., & O’Brien, C. J. (2020). Impact of savoring ability on the relationship between older adults’ activity engagement and well-being. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 39, 323-331. https://doi.org/10.1177/0733464819871876
Smith, J. L., & Bryant, F. B. (2019). Enhancing positive perceptions of aging by savoring life lessons. Aging and Mental Health, 23, 762-770. doi:10.1080/13607863.2018.1450840
Smith, J. L., & Hanni, A. A. (2019). Effects of a savoring intervention on resilience and well-being of older adults. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 38, 137-152. doi:10.1177/0733464817693375
Smith, J. L. (2018). Influence of senior living employees’ perceptions of aging on engagement and quality of resident interactions. Senior Housing and Care Journal, 26, 50-60.
Smith, J. L., & Bryant, F. B. (2017). Savoring and well-being: Mapping the cognitive-emotional terrain of the happy mind. To appear in M. Eid & M. D. Robinson (Eds.), The Happy Mind: Cognitive Contributions to Well-Being (pp. 139-156). Cham, Switzerland: Springer.
Smith, J. L., & Bryant, F. B. (2016). The benefits of savoring life: Savoring as a moderator of life satisfaction in older adults. International Journal of Aging & Human Development, 84, 3-23.
Smith, J. L., & Hollinger-Smith, L. (2015). Savoring, resilience, and psychological well-being in older adults. Aging and Mental Health, 19, 192-200.
Marielena Barbieri, PHD
Senior Research Associate
Dr. Marielena Barbieri is a developmental-health psychologist whose research focuses on the social determinants of health affecting diverse communities. She has dedicated her research to enhancing health equity and improving the well-being of individuals across all ages.
At Mather Institute, Dr. Barbieri’s research explores innovative and non-traditional support systems, such as the role of pets in enhancing the quality of life and well-being among older adults. Her work also includes examining diverse perspectives on successful aging from minoritized populations through the Perceptions of Aging Well Among Diverse Older Adults Study.
Dr. Barbieri holds a PhD in developmental science and a master’s in social psychology from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst.
Marielena Ages Well by enjoying good food, traveling, attending concerts, and spending quality time with her partner and their dogs.
Selected Publications:
Barbieri, M., Mercado, E., Gubrium, A. & Valdez, L.A. (2023). Social Connectedness and Surviving at the Margins: Interviews with Low-Income Puerto Rican Men. Cultural Diversity & Ethnic Minority Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1037/cdp0000604
Mercado, E., Barbieri, M., & Suh, S. M. (2023). Family mental health during the COVID‐19 pandemic: Changes in parent‐adolescent internalizing symptoms in the United States. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 17(11), e12861. https://doi.org/10.1111/spc3.12861
Barbieri, M., & Mercado, E. (2022). The impact of stay-at-home regulations on adolescents’ feelings of loneliness and internalizing symptoms. Journal of Adolescence, 94(7), 1022–1034. https://doi.org/10.1002/jad.12084
Mullany, A., Barbieri, M., Smith, S., Gubrium, A., & Valdez, L.A. (2022) “Who is our enemy?”: Internalized racism in the Puerto Rican diaspora and the role of political education within community health intervention. Social Science & Medicine (1982), 311, 115334. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2022.115334
Martínez, A.D., Mercado, E., Barbieri, M., Kim, S.Y., & Granger, D.A. (2022). The importance of biobehavioral research to examine the physiological effects of racial and ethnic discrimination in the Latinx population. Frontiers in Public Health, 9, 762735. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2021.762735
Valdez, L.A., Mullany, A., Barbieri, M., & Gubrium, A. (2022). Uncovering historical legacies to contextualize health inequities in Puerto Rican men: An expansion of the minority stress model. Frontiers in Sociology, 7, 830184. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsoc.2022.830184
Dasgupta, N., Thiem, K., Coyne, A., Laws, H., Barbieri, M., & Wells, R. (2022). The impact of communal learning contexts on adolescent self-concept and achievement: Similarities and differences across race and gender. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 123(3), 537–558. https://doi.org/10.1037/pspi0000377
Renae Smith-Ray, PHD
Senior Research Associate
Dr. Smith-Ray conducts research promoting healthy aging and well-being among older adults with specific areas of expertise in healthy cognitive aging, physical activity, behavior change, implementation science, and digital health.
Her research at Mather Institute focuses on the impact of social connections on well-being and health in older adults.
Prior to joining Mather Institute, Dr. Smith-Ray was a senior researcher with the Walgreens Center for Health and Wellbeing Research and worked as a research scientist with the Institute for Health Research and Policy at the University of Illinois at Chicago. She is a Fellow of the Gerontological Society of America, a Scientific Board Member for the Midwest Roybal Center for Health Promotion and Translation, and a grant reviewer for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. She earned her PhD in Gerontological Public Health from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 2012.
Dr. Smith-Ray Ages Well by spending time with her partner and three children, walking her dog, exercising, and enjoying music.
Selected Publications:
Smith-Ray, R.L., Feng, L., Singh, T., Emmons, S., Groves, E., Rudkin, K., and Kirkham, H. (2024). Pharmacists as Clinical Care Partners: How a Pharmacist-Led Intervention is Associated with Improved Medication Adherence in Older Adults with Common Chronic Conditions. Journal of Managed Care and Specialty Pharmacy, 30, 345-351. https://doi.org/10.18553/jmcp.2020.26.1.42
Singh, T., Smith-Ray, R.L., Ogunkoya, E., Shah, A., Harris, D., Hayes, K., and Mor, V. (2024). Health Equity in COVID-19 Testing among Patients of a Large National Pharmacy Chain, Frontiers in Public Health, Vol 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1422914
Smith-Ray. R.L., Roberts, E.E., Littleton, D.E., Singh, T., Sandberg, T, and Taitel, M. (2020). Distribution of patients at risk for complications related to COVID-19 in the United States: Model Development Study. Journal of Medical Internet Research: Public Health, 6, 2, doi:10.2196/19606.
Smith-Ray, R.L., Nikzad, N., Singh, T., Jiang, J.Z., Taitel, M., Quer, G., Cherry, J., Orr, G., and Steinhubl, S.R. (2020). A cross-sectional study of physical activity participation among adults with chronic conditions participating in a digital health program. Digital Health, https://doi.org/10.1177/2055207619880986
Harden, S.M., Smith, M.L., Smith-Ray, R.L., Ory, M.G., Estabrooks, P.A., and Glasgow, R.E. (2018). RE-AIM in Clinical, Community, and Corporate Settings: Perspectives, Strategies, and Recommendations to Enhance Public Health Impact. Frontiers in Public Health, 22 March 2018 https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2018.00071.
Quinn, K., Smith-Ray, R.L., and Boulter, K. (2016). Concepts, terms, and mental maps: Everyday challenges to older adult social media adoption, Journal of Human-Computer Interaction.
Smith-Ray, R.L., Irmiter, C., and Boulter, K. (2016). Cognitive Training among Cognitively Impaired Older Adults: A Feasibility Study Assessing the Potential Improvement in Balance. Frontiers in Public Health. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2016.00219.
Mikels, J.A., Shuster, M.M., Keilly, A., Thai, S.T., Smith-Ray, R.L., Waugh, C.E., Roth, K., and Stine-Morrow, E.A. (2016). Messages that Matter: Age Differences in Affective Responses to Framed Health Messages. Psychology and Aging, 31, 409-414. DOI: 10.1037/pag0000040.
Almeida, F.A., Smith-Ray, R.L., Dzewaltowski, D.A., Glasgow, R.E., Lee, R.E., Thomas, D., Xu, S., and Estabrooks, P.A. (2015). An Interactive Computer Session to Initiate Physical Activity in Sedentary Cardiac Patients: Randomized Controlled Trial. J Med Internet Res, 17(8):e206.. doi:10.2196/jmir.3759.
Smith-Ray, R.L., Fitzgibbon, M., Tussing-Humphreys, L., Shah, A., Schiffer, L., Berbaum, M., and Hughes, S. (2014). Fit and Strong! Plus: A Comparative Effectiveness Study of a Combined Weight Management/Physical Activity Program. Contemporary Clinical Trials, 37, 178-188.
Smith-Ray, R.L., Makowski-Woidan, B., and Hughes, SL. (2014). A Randomized Trial to Measure the Impact of a Cognitive Training Intervention on Balance and Gait in Black Community-Dwelling Older Adults: Results from the Healthy Brain, Healthy Body Pilot. Health Education & Behavior, 41, 62S – 69S. DOI: 10.1177/1090198114537068.
Hughes, S.L., Smith-Ray, R.L., Shah, A., and Huber, G. (2014). Fit & Strong!: Changing Lives for Persons with Arthritis. Today’s Geriatric Medicine, Vol. 7 No. 5 P. 20.
Smith-Ray, R.L., Hughes, S.L., Prohaska, T.R., Little, D.M., Jurivich, D.A., and Hedeker, D. (2013). Impact of Cognitive Training on Balance and Gait in Older Adults. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. doi: 10.1093/geronb/gbt097.
Jacquelyn Stephens, PhD
Senior Research Associate
Dr. Jacquelyn Stephens is a developmental-health psychologist who conducts research on factors that promote happier and healthier aging. Her research focuses on predictors of well-being across the lifespan, with an emphasis on the protective role of positive emotion in times of stress and adversity.
Her research at Mather Institute has focused on how savoring the moment, a form of positive emotion regulation, can contribute to better well-being in older adults. She also evaluates internal Mather programs and initiatives.
Prior to Mather, Dr. Stephens was a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine. She earned her Ph.D. in Human Development and Social Policy from Northwestern University in 2022.
Jacquelyn Ages Well by traveling, trying new restaurants and coffee shops, and spending time with her husband and her cat.
Select Publications:
Meier, T, Stephens, J. E., & Haase, C. M. (In Press). Change in emotion regulation across the lifespan. In A.C. Samson, D. Sander & U. Kramer (Eds.), Change in Emotion and Mental Health.
Meier, T., Stephens, J. E., & Haase, C. M. (2023). Feelings in words: Emotion word use and cardiovascular reactivity in marital interactions. Emotion.
Stephens, J. E., Rompilla Jr, D. B., Hittner, E. F., Mittal, V. A., & Haase, C. M. (2023). Executive functioning and nontarget emotions in late life. Emotion, 23(1), 97.
Stephens, J. E., Hittner, E. F., & Haase, C. M. (2022). Emotion regulation in couples across the life span. The Oxford Handbook of Emotional Development, 322-338.
Stephens, J. E., Kessler, C. L., Buss, C., Miller, G. E., Grobman, W. A., Keenan‐Devlin, L., … & Adam, E. K. (2021). Early and current life adversity: Past and present influences on maternal diurnal cortisol rhythms during pregnancy. Developmental Psychobiology, 63(2), 305-319.
Hittner, E. F., Stephens, J. E., Turiano, N. A., Gerstorf, D., Lachman, M. E., & Haase, C. M. (2020). Positive affect is associated with less memory decline: Evidence from a 9-year longitudinal study. Psychological Science, 31(11), 1386-1395.
Laurel Mertz, MA
Senior Research Analyst
Ms. Mertz conducts data collection and data management activities across many studies at the Institute and is the IRB Administrator for Mather. She holds a master’s degree in applied psychology from Loyola University Chicago.
In addition to assisting Mather Institute with the Age Well Study, a five-year longitudinal study of health among Life Plan Community residents, her most recent project includes a comprehensive survey examining the attitudes and interests of Generation X. She also supports Mather’s Community Initiatives area of service by conducting evaluations for the Do-It-Together Creative Art Kits program and managing Mather resident and employee engagement surveys.
Ms. Mertz Ages Well by spending time in nature, trying out new hobbies, and playing board games with friends.
Selected Publications:
Bohnert, A. M., Nicholson, L. M., Mertz, L., Bates, C. R., & Gerstein, D. E. (2021). Green schoolyard renovations in low-income urban neighborhoods: Benefits to students, schools, and the surrounding community. American Journal of Community Psychology, 1– 11. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajcp.12559
Ajla Basic, PHD, PMP
Project Manager
Since joining the Institute, Dr. Basic has supported the completion of multiple research projects. She was a key team member on the Age Well Study, a five-year longitudinal study of health among Life Plan Community residents. In addition, she manages the Institute’s Requests for Proposals (RFP) program, which solicits and identifies Collaborative Research Partners. Dr. Basic assumes a crucial role in coordinating award submissions for both the annual Promising Practices Awards and the Innovative Research on Aging Awards.
Dr. Basic earned her Ph.D. in applied social psychology from Loyola University Chicago in 2024, where she is also an undergraduate instructor. Her current projects include the Perceptions of Aging Well Among Diverse Older Adults Study, and a project on enhancing mindful eating practices in older adults.
Dr. Basic Ages Well by traveling, trying out new hobbies, and exploring all the delicious food Chicago has to offer.
Selected Publications:
Smith, J. L., Bihary, G. Joseph., O’Connor, D., Basic, A., & O’Brien, C. (2019). Impact of Savoring Ability on the Relationship Between Older Adults’ Activity Engagement and Well-Being. Journal of Applied Gerontology.
Smith, J. L., Bihary, G. Joseph., O’Connor, D., Basic, A., & O’Brien, C. (2019). Wellness among Life Plan Community Residents: Relationships between Culture and Outcomes. Seniors Housing & Care Journal.
Basic, A. (2020). Examining Organizational Factors and Their Impact on Older Adults in Life Plan Communities. (Master’s thesis). Loyola University, Chicago.