Dr. Gerlach has used national surveys and administrative claims data to evaluate the growth of central nervous system medication polypharmacy use among older adults and to understand how health systems respond to warnings (e.g., from the US Food and Drug Administration) for psychotropic medications. She has also explored questions surrounding safe and rationale psychotropic medication prescribing among older adults.
Dr. Brewer’s research lies at the intersection of accessibility and social computing. Using primarily qualitative research methods, she designs and studies voice-based interfaces and online communities for older adults. Additionally, she has established partnerships with medium to large senior-serving residential and non-residential communities in the Midwestern United States to conduct sustainable community-engaged research.