Biography
Kathleen C. Insel, PhD, RN's focus of research is on cognitive function over the lifespan and implications of cognitive function (specifically executive function and working memory) on self-management of chronic disease, or in the case of children, on school achievement. Self-management is often indexed by examining medication adherence. The population of interest is older adults with hypertension and in collaboration with Dr. Ki Moore, children who are diagnosed and treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Findings have implications for self-management challenges in other populations with chronic disease conditions.
Dr. Insel has specific interest and expertise in quantitative research methods. Her area of research focuses on cognitive function and how cognition is influenced by age, illness, and treatment; this also informs how cognitive function influences self-management. Using cognitive theories, her group developed an intervention to improve medication adherence, and are now translating this intervention to an App.