Rebecca S. Allen

Rebecca S. Allen is a Professor at the University of Alabama, where she serves as Executive Director of the Alabama Research Institute on Aging (ARIA). Her work focuses on clinical training issues, health disparities, and cultural dynamics in healthcare, particularly for underserved populations in the Deep South.

Dr. Allen earned her PhD from Washington University in St. Louis and completed postdoctoral training at Penn State and UAB. She teaches Geropsychology and Affect and Lifespan Development and mentors students in geriatric mental health research.

Her recent research includes:

• Clinical interventions for opioid use disorders in rural communities
• Development of culturally sensitive tools for advance care planning
• Dyadic interventions to reduce caregiver stress in chronic illness
• Addressing hearing healthcare disparities in rural Alabama

She has secured major grants from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), totaling over $3 million, and is an APA Division 20 President-Elect and GSA Fellow.

Dr. Allen leads the Allen and Jacobs Lab, which emphasizes collaborative research and community empowerment. Her lab's mission includes "Pay it forward" and "Progress is asking the right question" to address aging-related challenges.