Dr. Stark investigates the role of the environment in supporting the performance of older adults with disability. The focus of this research is on the contribution that the environment can make toward improving the performance, participation, and quality of life for persons living with functional limitations. Of particular interest are the outcomes of environmental interventions on overall physical activity level, quality of life and community participation.

• Lab Website

Home modification interventions to support aging in place, implementation of evidence-based interventions

Stark works with community-based organizations to implement evidence-based home modification interventions to support aging in place.

Stark teaches the undergraduate course When I'm 64: Preparing Ourselves and Society for a Good Long Life through the Beyond Boundaries program. She also teaches a seminar for medical students on Interdisciplinary Research Training in Translation. 

Stark is the Director of the Research Education Component at WashU’s Knight Alzheimer Disease Research Center, which is dedicated to helping trainees develop the knowledge and skills needed to succeed as an independent investigator of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.

In addition, Stark mentors students and trained who are interested in participating in community-engaged research to design, test and implement behavioral interventions for underserved community-dwelling older adults. Her goal as a mentor is to provide trainees with opportunities to develop both technical and professional skills while carrying out their research projects. Each trainee and lab member has a development plan to help them succeed in reaching their professional goals. It is her goal that, by the end of their program, trainees will have gained greater independence and the ability to conduct rigorous research as well as strong communication and leadership skills. Mentoring in our lab comes with a “lifetime guarantee.”

Her lab is based on a team approach. Working from the belief that science works best when influenced by diverse ideas from individuals working together, Stark intentionally build teams with diverse backgrounds, identities, experiences and skills.

Our lab welcomes dedicated trainees at all levels, from undergraduate to graduate students and beyond, to participate in community-engaged research to design, test and implement behavioral interventions for underserved community-dwelling older adults.

My goal as a mentor is to provide trainees with opportunities to develop both technical and professional skills while carrying out their research projects. Each trainee and lab member has a development plan to help them succeed in reaching their professional goals. It is my goal that, by the end of their program, trainees will have gained greater independence and the ability to conduct rigorous research as well as strong communication and leadership skills. Mentoring in our lab comes with a “lifetime guarantee.” I highly value collaborations with our former trainees.

Our lab is based on a team approach. I believe science works best when influenced by diverse ideas from individuals working together. I intentionally build teams with diverse backgrounds, identities, experiences and skills because I believe this diversity yields outcomes that are more meaningful.