Future Doctor Focuses on Aging Population

Future in Focus: Neuroscience Graduate Sets Sights on Caring for America’s Aging Population

As the U.S. population continues to age, the need for compassionate, skilled professionals in elder care is growing rapidly—and one soon-to-be graduate is already stepping up to meet that challenge.

At Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, neuroscience student Ruth Boampong is preparing to graduate with a clear mission: to improve care for older adults and support the families who care for them.

A Growing Need for Specialized Care

The numbers tell a powerful story. The population of Americans aged 65 and older is expected to double by 2060, while those over 85 are projected to triple.

That shift is creating an urgent demand for professionals trained in gerontology—the study of aging—and Boampong is part of a new generation answering that call.

Research That Makes a Difference

For the past two years, Boampong has worked in the Family Caregiving Translational Science Lab at the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, contributing to research aimed at supporting caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Through the Learning Skills Together program, she has helped survey families and assess outcomes—work designed to reduce mental health strain and improve confidence among caregivers navigating complex healthcare needs.

“Through this experience… I realized I loved working with [older adults] and wanted to explore fields that focus on the aging population,” Boampong said.

Recognition and Real-World Impact

Earlier this year, Boampong was named a Scholar in Aging by the Ohio Department of Aging and the Ohio Association of Gerontology Education—an honor awarded to just 10 students statewide.

Her academic work has also tackled complex and often overlooked issues, including research on gaps in data collection related to elder sexual abuse in Ohio.

The project, which she presented in Columbus this spring, highlights her commitment to addressing real-world challenges facing vulnerable populations.

Leadership Beyond the Lab

Boampong’s impact extends beyond research.

As president of the Women in Science and Engineering Roundtable (WISER), she has spent three years building mentorship opportunities and expanding access for younger students entering STEM fields.

Her leadership helped reshape the organization’s mentorship model and create new opportunities for engagement and growth.

Looking Ahead

After graduation, Boampong plans to remain in Cleveland to gain clinical experience while preparing for medical school.

She will continue her research work while also serving as a nursing department assistant on a geriatric psychiatry floor—bringing her one step closer to her goal of becoming a geriatric psychiatry physician.

“If I could do medical practice and also work as an advocate for the aging population, that would be my dream,” she said.

A Career Rooted in Purpose

At a time when the country is facing a demographic shift with wide-reaching implications, Boampong’s path reflects both a need—and a promise.

Because caring for an aging population isn’t just about medicine.

It’s about empathy, understanding, and ensuring that no one is left behind.