Yumi Shirai

University of Arizona
Family Studies and Human Development
PhD Candidate
Class of Spring 2010

Upon completion of my Ph.D. in Family Studies and Human Development, I would like to obtain a research position in an academic setting or at a research institute where I am able to conduct scientific research (i.e., basic and applied research) and apply my scientific knowledge to community programs which serve populations of special interest; parents of adults with developmental disabilities and aging caregivers of family elders. More specifically, I am interested in promoting the quality of life and well-being of aging individuals (both caregivers and care-recipients).
Currently, I am the Assistant Director/Instructional Specialist Senior at Artworks, an educational and professional field training program for individuals with developmental disabilities.

As a research associate and trainee of the Sonoran UCEDD, I am working on the Aging and Transitions Project, which includes:

• Support coordinator survey (to identify support coordinators’ roles in future care planning and their knowledge about age related issues).
• Caregiver Study (to explore the barriers to effective late-life transitions for older caregivers who were providing direct care and support for a family member with DD).
•  Community education: Based on the support coordinator and the aging caregiver studies, assist in developing community educational/information material for future care planning for adults with developmental disabilities and their aging family caregivers; and conduct community seminars for aging caregivers of adults with developmental disabilities