Ann Kolanowski (Principal Investigator) has a PhD in Nursing from NYU and has conducted research on behavioral symptoms in persons with dementia for over 15 years. She was recently awarded the Fran and Holly Soistman Award for Excellence in Health Services Research by the College of Health & Human Development at Penn State University.

Lin Buettner (Co-Investigator) has a PhD in Recreational Therapy from Penn State University. She is a Gerontologist and Recreational Therapist who specializes in therpeutic care of people with dementia care and research. She is an Associate Professor of Health Science in the College of Health Professions at Florida Gulf Coast University. She is the author of Therapeutic Recreation in the Nursing Home and co-author of Dementia Practice Guidelines for Recreational Therapy.

Mark Litaker (Bio-statistician) is Associate Professor, Director of Biostatistics at the University of Alabama, Birmingham.

Joyel Moeller (Project Director) has a BS in Recreational Therapy from York College. She is certified in recreational therapy and has worked for a number of years in nursing homes and psychiatric settings.

Shari Walzcak (Research Staff Assistant) supports project communications, publications and presentations.