Darlingtina Esiaka, PhD

Dr. Darlingtina Esiaka is an NIA (K99/R00) funded scholar/incoming Assistant Professor in the Department of Behavioral Science and the Center for Health Equity Transformation (CHET). Her research interests revolve around two major themes. One focuses on the early detection of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) in older Black men. She examines how to detect progression and conversion to ADRD in Black men, long before the presentation of behavioral symptoms. The second focuses on the early detection of cancer in older Black men. She investigates psychosocial factors that predict fatal-stage cancer diagnosis and survivorship in older Black men. Her work is currently supported by federal and private funders such as NIA, the New Jersey Health Foundation, the Michigan Center for Contextual Factors in Alzheimer’s Disease, and the Alzheimer’s Association. Dr. Esiaka is a Black Men's Brain Health scholar and founder of Black in Gerontology and Geriatrics. She is a certified Public Health professional and is credentialed by the National Association of Professional Gerontologists. She has published several journal articles and book chapters and has an edited book that will be released in 2024. She has received over 20 awards and recognitions, including the Emily Taylor Center for Women & Gender Equity – Kathleen McCluskey-Fawcett Woman Mentoring Women award and the Gerontological Society of America (GSA)'s Career Development and Junior Investigator Diversity Fellow Award. Dr. Esiaka is affiliated with several professional organizations, including the Society for Psychological Study of Social Issues, where she serves as a council member and chairs the internationalization committee.