Heather Farmer

Dr. Heather Farmer is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Sciences at the University of Delaware, part of the College of Education & Human Development. Her research focuses on biopsychosocial processes underlying racial disparities in health among older adults, particularly examining intersections of race, gender, and socioeconomic status (SES). She investigates mechanisms such as stress, inflammation, and cardiometabolic dysregulation using longitudinal data from studies like the Health and Retirement Study.

Education: Ph.D. in Biobehavioral Health (Pennsylvania State University, 2018); B.A. and B.S. in Gerontology and Public Health (University of South Florida, 2012).

Research interests include gerontology, health disparities, psychosocial resilience, and the impact of neighborhood conditions on health outcomes. Her work integrates biomarker data and interdisciplinary approaches to address systemic inequities in aging populations.

Grants and Collaborations: Co-investigator on NIH-funded projects studying cardiovascular disparities, neighborhood effects on cognitive impairment, and the impact of the pandemic on Puerto Rican elders. Active in the REACH Equity Award and interdisciplinary teams at Duke University and Penn State.

Professional Service: Section Editor for the Encyclopedia of Gerontology and Population Aging (‘Resilience’ section). Advocacy includes diversity initiatives in academia, including leadership roles in recruitment programs targeting underrepresented students.