Katherine Kwong

Katherine Kwong earned her Ph.D. in Aging Studies from the School of Medicine at Tulane University. As a gerontologist with a background in public health, her current work is driven by a theoretical understanding of social determinants of health, and focuses on one of the fastest growing segments of the population in the United States, older adults who identify as a racial or ethnic minority.   

At Connecticut College, Katherine teaches courses focused on human development, elder abuse, death and dying, and health disparities. Her goal as an instructor is to encourage students to gain a global understanding on issues related to aging and health and to critically examine how perspectives on these issues have been shaped by the interactions between cultural, environmental, political, economic, and biological processes.  Previously, she taught courses in anthropology, public health, and biomedical engineering; all with an emphasis on the older adult population. 

As a researcher who specializes in qualitative data collection and analysis, Katherine works on projects that focus on aging and health disparities. In the past she has used a trauma and resilience framework to further understand the historical trauma experienced by minority older adults throughout New Orleans, Louisiana, and examined how their resilience in late life relied on culturally specific community identity and resources. 

Prior to joining Connecticut College, her work and research took her to several international sites throughout the world.  Her previous training in anthropology gave her the opportunity to work as a member of an international archaeological field team in the Khwebe Hills in Botswana.  In addition, her background in global public health led to her conducting a community health assessment by administering door-to-door surveys to households in Santiago Juan, Belize, as part of a joint project between the University of Belize and the University of South Florida, Tampa.