Lead Investigator
Alyssa Aguirre, LCSW-S, is a clinical social worker specializing in designing new models for dementia care and counseling individuals living with dementia and their caregivers.
Aguirre supports patient-centered and evidence-based approaches to deliver innovative treatment and post-diagnosis support. She coordinates several research studies focused on mild cognitive impairment and dementia and is fostering relationships with community partners to advance the mission of UT Health Austin and the Department of Neurology.
Aguirre’s professional career has focused on Alzheimer’s intervention, program development, research and disease education. She is proud of her work on the Dementia Friendly America initiative, which provides education for health care systems and communities on ways to become dementia-friendly through training videos and provider practice tools.
As assistant professor of practice for The University of Texas at Austin’s Steve Hicks School of Social Work, Aguirre supports initiatives to educate future leaders who will transform health care and pioneer the advancement of dementia training and education. She enjoys presenting at the national, state and local levels on topics related to dementia.
Research Coordinators
Sydney is a Clinical Research Coordinator at the COPE lab. She earned a Master of Health Administration from Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health with a focus on health policy and management.
Her research background includes ME/CFS, COVID-19, Post Acute COVID Syndrome (PACS) and other infectious disease work. Sydney is interested in chronic disease research, community health and healthcare equity
Research Assistant
KD Oppong is a graduate research assistant at the COPE Lab and a doctoral candidate at the University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing. He holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Education, Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Master of Public Health degree with a specialty in Health Policy Planning and Management.
His research interests span health care quality and safety, health care communication and decision-making, health equity and dementia caregiving research.
KD Oppong is committed to improving the quality of life of persons living with Dementia and their caregivers through dementia-related education and research.
Undergraduate Researchers
Andrew is a research assistant working at the COPE Lab. He is currently pursuing a B.S.A. Biology Honors degree at the University of Texas at Austin, along with certificates in Evidence and Inquiry and Spanish for Medical Professions.
His research background includes investigations of psychosocial factors that impact musculoskeletal health and evaluations of synergistic treatments for various cancers. Andrew is passionate about advancing our understanding of health outcomes and contributing to innovative research in the field!
