Meet the Team Members

is a project director and PI. He is a professor of Applied Gerontology and Rehabilitation sciences at the University of North Texas. He has a long history studying consumer-oriented community and independent living solutions with significant disability for the design, implementation, and evaluation of rehabilitation and health services. He is American Psychological Association Committee on Disability Issues in Psychology member (2025-2027) and was Aging, Functioning and Rehabilitation panelist of the US National Academy of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (2024). E-mail: Elias.Mpofu@unt.edu

is a Co-Investigator and professor of computer science and engineering University of North Texas. His research expertise is on technologies for Smart Cities, which overlay community living options with diversity in human attributes. He constructs and applies predictive geographical information systems statistical models for community living outcomes. E-mail: Saraju.Mohanty@unt.edu

is Co-Investigator and associate professor of applied behavior analysis at the University of North Texas. She is an Autism therapist and the director of the North Texas Autism Project (NTAP), an interdisciplinary service, training and research program working in collaboration with Easter Seals North Texas, and other partners. Her specialization is the design and implementation of research on autism for interventions with cultural sensitivity. E-mail: Shahla.Alai@unt.edu

is Co-Investigator and an assistant vice president for research and innovation at the University of North Texas. She is faculty lead and co-founder of the UNT ELEVAR (Empower, Learn, Excel, enVision, Advance, Rise) which is a four-year inclusive postsecondary education program for students with intellectual disabilities. Her expertise lies in cultural community engagement practices with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. E-mail: Brenda.Barrio@unt.edu

is Community liaison consultant and Emeritus Professor of Applied Gerontology at the University of North Texas. His research expertise is on aging-inclusive neighborhoods and sustainable senior living, long-term care and home care systems. E-mail: Stan.Ingman@unt.edu

is a doctoral candidate in the Department of Rehabilitation and Health Services at the University of North Texas. Her research focuses on social resourcing and physical activity among older adults, leveraging technologies such as information and communication technology (ICT), virtual reality (VR), artificial intelligence (AI), and wearable devices to enhance cognitive function and well-being.
E-mail: Rongfang.Zhan@unt.edu

is a doctoral student in Aging and Rehabilitation Science. His research explores the intersection of population dynamics, health, and successful aging in later life. Currently, he is focused on informing policies and programs that promote successful aging, particularly in the context of community living and social participation.

is a doctoral student in Aging and Rehabilitation. His research focuses on the social determinants of health, access to care, community living, and participation among older adults, with a special focus on healthcare access and long-term support for neurodivergent aging populations.

is an adjunct professor in Aging and Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of North Texas. Dr. Pudur’s research centers on promoting social well-being among aging populations, with particular attention to the role of assisted living facilities and the availability of resources that support meaningful social engagement.

is a gerontology and health services researcher focused on aging, disability, and health disparities. His research focus is on areas such as dementia care and long-term care of older adults, inclusive of their cognitive function and healthcare access.