About Kallol Kumar Bhattacharyya

Dr. Kallol Kumar Bhattacharyya is an assistant professor in the Division of Health Systems Management and Policy, and Health Economist in the Center for Public Health Informatics, Data, Equity, Analytics, and Systems at the University of Memphis School of Public Health. Dr. Bhattacharyya received his master's degree in gerontology from Georgia State University and completed his PhD in aging sciences at the School of Aging Studies, University of South Florida. Prior to join the University of Memphis, he was a postdoctoral fellow in the Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Research Center at Utah State University. He also worked as a family physician in India for nearly two decades before reentering academia. His research interests revolve around two general areas: Health Services research and Health promotion. Kallol is particularly focused on the individualized care provided in long-term care, especially nursing homes, and the economics of long-term care, especially how regulatory oversight and resident choices in the nursing home market affect health outcomes. He is also interested in the risk and protective factors and alternative therapeutic interventions for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia. His innovative research has won many awards in scholarly platforms, including the GSA, SGS, PLTC, etc. Regarding academic service, Kallol is an active member of the Gerontological Society of America and also serve in the editorial boards of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, BMC Geriatrics, Research in Health and Medicine, and PLOS ONE.

Education 

• PhD, Aging Sciences, University of South Florida, USA, 2022
• MA, Gerontology, Georgia State University, USA, 2019
• MBBS, Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery, University of Calcutta, India, 1999

Research Interests: Aging and Health

• Health services research (quality of care and quality of life in long-term care)
• Health policy (age-friendly nursing home and person-centered care)
• Health promotion (risk/protective factors for dementia)
• Health equity/disparities (cognitive aging in minorities)
• Meaningful engagement in long-term care (mind-body practice)

Selected Publications 

1. Bhattacharyya, K. K., Molinari, V., Das Gupta, D., & Hueluer, G. (2024). The role of life satisfaction and optimism for successful aging in mid and late life. Journal of Applied Gerontology: the official journal of the Southern Gerontological Society, 7334648241273337. Advance online publication. doi:10.1177/07334648241273337 (JAG) (PubMed) (Google Scholar) 
2. Fearn, K., & Bhattacharyya, K. K. (2024). Is use of psychedelic drugs a risk or protective factor for late-life cognitive decline? Gerontology & Geriatric Medicine, 10, 1-9. doi:10.1177/23337214241250108 (GGM) (PubMed) (Google Scholar) 
3. Bhattacharyya, K. K., & Molinari, V. (2024). Impact of optimism on cognitive performance of people living in rural area: Findings from a 20-year study in US adults. Gerontology & Geriatric Medicine, 10, 1-12. doi:10.1177/23337214241239147 (GGM) (PubMed) (Google Scholar) 
4. Bhattacharyya, K. K., Peterson, L. J., Molinari, V., Fauth, E. B., & Andel, R. (2024). The importance of zero-deficiency complaints in nursing homes: A mere consequence or serious concern? Journal of Applied Gerontology: the official journal of the Southern Gerontological Society, 43(7), 945-955. doi:10.1177/07334648241229548 (JAG) (PubMed) (Google Scholar)
5. Morgan, J. C., Jason, K. J., Kemp, C. L., & Bhattacharyya, K. K. (2024). A collaborative approach to improving care outcomes for residents in assisted living. Gerontology & Geriatric Medicine, 10, 1-8. doi:10.1177/23337214231222981 (GGM) (PubMed) (Google Scholar)
6. Bhattacharyya, K. K., Peterson, L. J., Molinari, V., & Bowblis, J. R. (2023). Consumer complaints in nursing homes: Analyzing substantiated single-allegation complaints to deficiency citations. Journal of Aging & Social Policy, 36(1), 174-188. doi:10.1080/08959420.2023.2297599 (JASP) (PubMed) (Google Scholar)
7. Bhattacharyya, K. K., Molinari, V., Peterson, L. J., Fauth, E. B. & Andel, R. (2023). Do nursing homes with a higher proportion of residents with dementia have greater or fewer complaints? Aging & Mental Health, 28(3), 448-456. doi:10.1080/13607863.2023.2277265 (AMH) (PubMed) (Google Scholar) 
8. Bhattacharyya, K. K., Molinari, V., & Fauth, E. B. (2023). Trends in nursing home complaints: Prevalence and variation across Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services regions. Journal of Applied Gerontology: the official journal of the Southern Gerontological Society, 42(7), 1600-1610. doi:10.1177/07334648231159648 (JAG) (PubMed) (Google Scholar)
9. Bhattacharyya, K. K., Molinari, V., Black, K., & Whitbourne, S. K. (2022). Creating age-friendly nursing homes: The time is now. Gerontology & Geriatrics Education, 44(4), 613–630. doi:10.1080/02701960.2022.2106981 (GGE) (PubMed) (Google Scholar) (SGS student research paper award winner) 
10. Bhattacharyya, K. K., Andel, R., & Small, B. J. (2021). Effects of yoga-related mind-body therapies on cognitive function in older adults: A systematic review with meta-analysis. Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, 93, 104319. doi:10.1016/j.archger.2020.104319 (AGG) (PubMed) (Google Scholar)