Interview conducted by graduate student, Ziyue Huang
ZH: What inspired your interest in quantitative research and statistics?
NB: While pursuing my master’s and PhD in sociology, I became interested in statistics because it offered practical skills that could be applied across many fields. I began learning tools like SPSS and challenging myself in quantitative analysis. At the same time, I was taking courses in areas such as organizational sociology and medical sociology, which sparked my interest in studying the U.S. healthcare system and the structural issues within it. Quantitative methods gave me a way to explore these sociological questions through data.
ZH: Why do you focus your research on older adults?
NB: One major reason is the global trend of population aging. Many developed countries are experiencing shifts toward older populations, which creates important opportunities to study health outcomes in later life. I’m particularly interested in how health disparities accumulate across the lifespan and often become most visible in older adulthood through chronic conditions. Dementia is one area I focus on because it has such a profound impact not only on individuals, but also on families, caregiving networks, and healthcare systems due to its high social and economic costs.
ZH: Why is it important to include older adulthood in human development research?
NB: Human development research often emphasizes childhood and adolescence, but development continues throughout the entire lifespan. From a life course perspective, experiences early in life, even before birth, can shape long-term health outcomes. Many of these effects become most visible in older adulthood, particularly in relation to mortality and chronic disease. Studying older adults helps us better understand the full trajectory of human development.
ZH: How does your research translate into real-world impact?
NB: Much of my work relies on analyzing large, existing datasets to identify patterns in health among older adults. The immediate audience for that work is often other researchers, but ideally it informs policymakers and clinicians as well. Policymakers can use research findings to design programs or interventions for at-risk populations, while clinicians may incorporate these insights into recommendations for their patients. While the impact is often indirect, the goal is to contribute knowledge that ultimately improves health outcomes for older adults.
ZH: What are some of the biggest challenges you face in your research?
NB: One of the biggest challenges is securing funding. Research grants are highly competitive, and there are relatively few organizations that fund work in aging and health, such as the National Institute on Aging. Without external funding, it becomes difficult to balance research with teaching and service responsibilities. Another challenge is developing meaningful research questions that can truly influence policy or improve health outcomes. In addition, statistical methods are constantly evolving, so staying up to date with new analytical tools and software requires continuous learning.
ZH: What do you enjoy most about being a professor and researcher?
NB: One of the most rewarding aspects is the autonomy to pursue research questions that I find meaningful and to collaborate with colleagues and students who share those interests. I enjoy the process of programming and statistical analysis; it feels similar to using tools to solve problems and build something. In many ways, research can also be creative, almost like an art form, where you bring together ideas, analysis, and writing to produce a final piece of work. I also value the collaborative relationships I’ve built with mentors, colleagues, and students over time.
“I enjoy putting together a finished piece—you can think of it like a work of art that you share with people, and it represents you. That’s a really rewarding part of the job.”