Regina Sims Wright

Dr. Regina Sims Wright serves as Associate Dean for College Community & Belonging in the College of Health Sciences and Professor in the School of Nursing at the University of Delaware. Her research program examines cardiovascular-cognitive relationships in aging populations with emphasis on health disparities among African Americans. She maintains active collaborations with national studies including HANDLS and has secured continuous NIH funding for her work.

Her educational background includes:

• Postdoctoral Fellowship, Duke University (Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development)
• Ph.D. in Neuropsychology, Howard University
• M.S. in Experimental Psychology, Villanova University
• B.A. in Psychology, University of Delaware

Dr. Wright's research focuses on cognitive aging mechanisms, particularly how cardiovascular risk factors, dietary patterns, and socioeconomic conditions differentially impact cognitive trajectories in African American elders. Her work bridges neuropsychology, epidemiology, and health services research to address systemic health disparities through community-engaged science.

Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals consistent investigation of cognitive health determinants in urban African American communities, with recurring themes including dietary interventions (tart cherry studies), cardiovascular biomarkers, and social determinants of cognition. Her work prominently features the HANDLS dataset and demonstrates methodological diversity across observational, interventional, and mixed-methods designs.

Her scientific recognition includes:

• Nomination for Gerard J. Mangone Young Scholars Award (2014)
• Nomination for CHS Research Excellence Award (2014)
• NIDDK/NMRI Workshop Travel Awards (2013, 2014)
• National Faculty Diversity Development Boot Camp award (2012)

As Principal Investigator, she has directed NIH-funded projects including NIGMS/INBRE research on diet-cognition relationships (2014-2016) and UD Research Foundation grants on cardiovascular risk in African Americans. She also serves as Co-investigator on industry-sponsored trials examining tart cherry and grape interventions for cognitive and cardiovascular health.

Dr. Wright actively contributes to the HANDLS research consortium and collaborates with multidisciplinary teams across gerontology, nutrition, and cardiovascular epidemiology to advance understanding of cognitive health disparities.