Karen Roberto, director of the Center for Gerontology at Virginia Tech University, will deliver the keynote address next week at the Australian Association of Gerontology National Conference on "Resilience in Ageing: Insights from Older Adults and Their Families."
As the 2012 Gary Andrews Visiting Fellow, Roberto will talk about her research on family care of older adults with mild cognitive impairment, vulnerability of older adults to mistreatment or financial abuse, and intimate partner violence in late life.
In addition to her keynote address in Brisbane on Nov. 21, Roberto will cross the country to lecture in Adelaide, Hobart, Melbourne, and Perth.
A family gerontologist, Roberto has won more than $4.1 million in research grants that focus on health and social support in late life and includes studies of the health of rural older women, family relationships and caregiving, elder abuse, and coping with chronic conditions such as osteoporosis, pain, falls, and cancer.
Roberto was recently awarded the Distinguished Mentorship in Gerontology Award by the Gerontological Society of America for fostering excellence in the field of aging and making a major impact on students and fellow researchers.