Sara Jo Nixon of UF has received $1.1 million from the NIH to study the effects of COVID-19 stressors on substance use and cognitive abilities among older adults. The three-year longitudinal study will allow researchers to observe vulnerability and resilience over time.

“The pandemic has left no one untouched. However, older adults and Black, Indigenous and other people of color have been disproportionately impacted. Further, it has been long assumed that women are differentially sensitive to psychosocial stressors,” said Nixon. “This study is being conducted at an ideal point in time.”

• Sara Nixon