Lindsay Kobayashi, PhD 

Principal Investigator

Lindsay's research focuses on the social epidemiology of cognitive aging from a global perspective, using data from internationally harmonized longitudinal studies of aging in England, Canada, the United States, and South Africa. Her work aims to inform policy solutions that improve cognitive health and health equity among low-income older populations. 

Additional appointments

Associate Director, Center for Global Health Equity, University of Michigan

Co-Investigator, US Health and Retirement Study

Co-Director, HCAP International Network

Co-Director, Interdisciplinary Research Training on Health and Aging

Muqi Guo, PhD

Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Muqi Guo is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow working with Dr. Kobayashi. Her research interests are in understanding how reproductive health impacts women's cognitive aging and overall well-being throughout the life course. Her work primarily explores connections between reproductive events—such as menopause and contraception use—and later-life cognitive health, dementia risk, and mental well-being. With expertise in global health and aging, intervention evaluation, and health inequities, her goal is to inform policies and interventions that promote healthy aging and reduce disparities worldwide. In her spare time, she enjoys swimming, playing squash, and exploring Ann Arbor's charming natural surroundings on foot.

Tsai-Chin (TC) Cho, PhD

Postdoctoral Research Associate

TC's research interests include the socioeconomic determinants of cognitive aging in global communities using cross-national comparative longitudinal studies, contextual attributes of health disparities in older adults within and across countries, and the influences of family relationships on health outcomes and healthcare utilization. She completed her doctoral training in epidemiology at the University of Michigan. Outside of work, she likes to read, go for strolls, and explore coffee shops.

Pengyuan (Kelvin) Zhang

Second-year PhD Student

Kelvin's research interests include childhood adversity and the social and cardiovascular determinants of later-life cognitive function. He earned his bachelor's degree in Food Science and Engineering from Shanghai Jiao Tong University and his Master of Public Health in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Michigan. Before becoming a PhD student, he worked as a research assistant with Dr. Erica Jansen in the Department of Nutritional Sciences and as a research associate with the SEGA research group. Outside of work, he enjoys traveling, playing tennis, and watching the Premier League every week (Go Chelsea!).

Peiyao Zhu

First-year PhD Student

Peiyao completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Iowa, majoring in Health and Human Physiology, and earned her Master of Public Health in Epidemiology from the University of Michigan. Her research interests focus on the social determinants of health, health disparities, and cognitive aging. Outside of work, she enjoys cooking, trying new recipes, and traveling to experience different cultures.

Namuunaa Juramt

PhD Student

Namuunaa holds a Bachelor of Science in Biological Science from Peking University and a Master of Public Health in Chronic Disease Epidemiology from Yale University. Her research focuses on the epidemiology of aging and cognitive health, examining a broad range of biological, lifestyle, and reproductive factors through cohort studies. She is also interested in applying diverse approaches, such as neuroimaging and omics, to better understand the determinants of cognitive aging. Outside of research, she enjoys watching movies, playing board games, and staying active through hiking, snowboarding, ice skating, and swimming.

Jack Cameron

MPH Student

Jack is an aspiring physician-scientist interested in neuroepidemiology and global health, with a particular focus on cognitive aging and epilepsy in sub-Saharan Africa, the application of portable neurodiagnostic and neuroimaging technologies in resource-limited settings, and the role of social policy in shaping neurological outcomes across the life course in low- and middle-income countries. He received his BA in Neuroscience and Social Epidemiology from the City University of New York and joined the University of Michigan's MPH program in Global Health Epidemiology in 2026. During his undergraduate training, he worked as an emergency medical technician before joining the Clinical Neuropsychology Lab at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, where he contributed to research on remote neuropsychological assessment for diverse populations. He also spent several months in rural Malawi conducting pediatric epilepsy research and supporting community health programming through Partners In Health. Outside of work, he enjoys hiking, running, and spending time in the forests and mountains of New Hampshire, where he grew up.

Tiffany Ho

First-year MPH Student

Tiffany's research interests include social epidemiology, global aging, nutrition, developmental disabilities, and health inequities. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences with a concentration in Public Health and a minor in Biology from Northern Arizona University, where she developed a strong foundation in community-based public health interventions and research. Outside of work, she enjoys swimming, practicing yoga, and exploring new coffee shops.

Chuwen Zhong

1st Year PhD Student

Chuwen earned a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) in Clinical Medicine from Hebei Medical University in 2019, and a Master of Public Health (MPH) in Epidemiology from the University of Michigan in 2023. Her research interests center around understanding how social isolation and loneliness affect mental well-being and cognitive function among older adults. In the SEGA group, her work focuses on the HAALSI project. Outside of her academic work, she enjoys reading and spending time in nature, and she aims to visit at least one national park every year.