Marti DeLiema

Marti DeLiema is an Assistant Research Professor in the School of Social Work at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. Her research focuses on financial victimization, elder abuse, and fraud prevention among older adults. She is actively engaged in interdisciplinary research that bridges social work, gerontology, criminology, and public policy.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Gerontology, USC Davis School of Gerontology
• B.S. in Biological Psychology, UCLA

Her research interests center on understanding and preventing financial fraud and elder abuse. She investigates the risk factors for victimization, the tactics used by scammers, and the development of interventions to protect older adults. Her work emphasizes the importance of financial security in successful aging and explores the psychological and social consequences of fraud, including depression, shame, and loss of independence. She employs both quantitative and qualitative methods, including longitudinal data analysis, focus groups, and case studies.

Her recent publications and projects reveal a strong focus on repeat victimization, digital imposter scams, gift card fraud, and policy interventions such as temporary account holds. She has led studies on long-term care planning tools and the implementation of protective measures in financial institutions. Her research is applied and policy-relevant, aiming to generate actionable insights for consumer protection and elder safety.

Scientific Awards:

• No awards listed in the provided text.

Dr. DeLiema is actively involved in advising and grant-funded research. She has served as Principal Investigator (PI) on multiple externally funded projects from organizations including the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, FINRA Investor Education Foundation, and AARP. These grants support research on financial victimization severity, scam interventions, and elder financial exploitation prevention. While no formal advisees are listed, her role as a research professor suggests mentorship of junior researchers and students. She is affiliated with research initiatives focused on financial security for older adults, particularly through collaborations with government agencies and nonprofit organizations.

Labs and Research Teams:

While no formal lab is named, Dr. DeLiema leads a research portfolio centered on elder financial exploitation. She collaborates with interdisciplinary teams across institutions and works closely with adult protective services, financial institutions, and advocacy groups. Her projects often involve partnerships with national organizations such as AARP and federal agencies, indicating a broad network focused on consumer protection and aging policy.