Lauren Fisher is a PhD candidate at the University of Pennsylvania, School of Nursing. Lauren’s dissertation research focuses on how empathy loss in Frontotemporal Dementia, an early-onset form of dementia, impacts caregiver stress. Overall, she aims to understand how socioemotional changes, such as empathy loss, in persons living with dementia impact the emotional connection and well-being of both the person living with dementia and their caregiver. Lauren is passionate about supporting caregivers and persons living with dementia and reducing stigma associated with living with dementia. As an NCSP fellow, Lauren plans to be an active advocate for the care of persons living with dementia and their care partners by engaging in scientific research that contributes to health policy and includes community engagement. Lauren completed her Bachelor of Arts in Behavioral Neuroscience at the University of San Diego. After graduation, she worked as a clinical research coordinator at the UCSF Memory and Aging Center where she was inspired to pursue nursing to support families with a dementia diagnosis. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the University of Pennsylvania. Outside of work, Lauren enjoys spending time with her family and dog, playing board games, singing, and hiking.
Research Interests: Expanding support for persons living with dementia and their caregivers by evaluating how emotional changes in dementia affect the emotional connection and well-being of both persons living with dementia and caregivers.