Kathy Lee Siepker Bio

Dr. Kathy L. Siepker is a scholar and educator in gerontological social work whose research and advocacy focus on older adults living with dementia and their family caregivers. Her work centers on developing and evaluating innovative, non-pharmacological interventions for individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, while also addressing the needs of their family caregivers. Since joining the University of Texas at Arlington in 2018, Dr. Siepker has secured competitive funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Alzheimer’s Association, and the Borchard Center on Law & Aging. In recognition of her early career excellence in both scholarship and teaching, she received the 2021 Faculty Achievement Award from the Association for Gerontology Education in Social Work.  Dr. Siepker has further strengthened her research expertise through community engagement and interdisciplinary collaboration, with an emphasis on real-world impact for aging populations. Beyond academia, Dr. Siepker is actively involved in public education and advocacy. She serves as a Community Educator for the Alzheimer’s Association Dallas and Northeast Texas Chapter and is a certified Dementia Friends Champion through Dementia Friendly USA. These roles reflect her commitment to translating research into meaningful change at the community level. Through her integrated work in research, education, and advocacy, Dr. Siepker is dedicated to transforming how communities respond to aging and dementia.