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Kate Perepezko’s path to gerontology began with her work at a Veterans Affairs Hospital in New York, where she gained a deep understanding of the unique challenges older adults face. The experience showed her the critical importance of care that is rooted in respect for older adults and promotes a purposeful life -- principles that have guided Kate’s early career and shaped her commitment to aging care.

After Kate earned her master’s degree at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, she went on to pursue doctoral research focused on caregiving to older adults with Parkinson’s disease. She was motivated by the chance to make an impact in a field that addresses critical and evolving needs. “I realized the work I want to do goes beyond individual cases; it’s about creating sustainable systems of support,” she reflects.

Over the years, Kate has moved through diverse sectors, with each new role expanding her understanding of aging care. Now, as a Research Scientist at Scripps Gerontology Center, she focuses on exploring the dynamics between older adults and their caregivers using dyadic and care network analysis approaches. These methods, Kate explains, are key to enabling us to examine relationships that support not only older adults but also their caregivers, creating a more interconnected and comprehensive model of care.

One of the elements that drew Kate to Scripps is its focus on sustainable research impact. Too often studies lose momentum once funding ends, resulting in projects that never fully reach their potential. At Scripps, however, she’s excited to see efforts directed at building interventions that persist beyond their initial phases. “There’s a shared goal here:  to design work that lasts, that grows, and that can truly be a resource to people,” she explains.

Kate’s journey is guided by a vision of growth— both personally and in her professional commitment to advance work that supports older adults and their families in lasting, impactful ways. As she continues her research, Kate brings her resolve to foster meaningful change in gerontology.