Angel C. Duncan, PhD

​

Angel C. Duncan, PhD, MA-MFT, ATR has an extensive background in gerontology, counseling psychology and phases I-IV clinical research in Alzheimer's and related dementias, cardiac, oncology and psychiatric disorders. For over twenty years, her work has involved clinical patient intakes, study rater applications, study coordination, community and provider educational outreach, and program development, grant writing initiatives ranging from $10k to over $100M. She has been a project lead in identifying and establishing Sponsor-related partnerships between independent and multi-center research sites, CRO site management support, patient recruitment and retention strategies, marketing campaigns and patient advocacy that builds trust between medical and community education- bridging the gaps in patient needs. 

 

Her doctorate is in Psychology (specialization in Gerontology), graduating with distinction. She was twice recognized by the National Society and Academic Leadership and Success honors program at NorthCentral University- JFK School of Psychology and Social Sciences in Southern California. In Northern California, she received a dual Masters of Arts degree from Notre Dame de Namur University in counseling psychology of Marriage and Family Therapy, and Art Therapy, graduating with distinction. She was one out of two graduate student recipients to receive the President’s Scholarship Award. Her practicum and thesis research was conducted at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford University in oncology medical procedural anxiety, and at the Children’s Health Council at Stanford. She later served as the Programs Director and Supervisor for the Alzheimer’s Association of Northern California- Northern Nevada chapter with research collaborations and support programs at the Stanford VA, University of California- San Francisco (UCSF) and Kaiser Permanente. Concurrently, Angel worked in the adult inpatient and outpatient departments at UCSF, Langley Porter Psychiatric Institute, and in the adult inpatient unit at Sequoia Hospital, also residing on Sequoia's Patient Satisfaction Committee. Angel was appointed to the San Francisco and San Mateo County Departments on Aging Adults and Adults with Disabilities committees, implementing community outreach resources for under-served populations, and held a CA state advocate position for dementia healthcare policies in Sacramento. 

 

As a native Texan, Angel graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art (specialization in advertising/communications) from Texas Lutheran University. She was a four-year theatrical scholar and served as President of the Alpha Psi Omega National Theatre Honor Society. Her academic achievements were recognized over four-years as a Provost Honors student. Angel worked as the President Assistant for the Texas Photographic Society and taught general education for children with learning disabilities and on the autism spectrum in San Antonio and Austin. She was active in diverse theatre communities across Texas, California, New Jersey and Florida with talent agent representation in San Antonio, Austin and San Francisco. Her work spans among various productions in television, film, industrial, print and as a commercial spokesperson in product campaigns.    

​

In New Jersey and New York City, Angel was the Programs and Marketing Director for Senior Helpers and held a private practice where she developed and facilitated mental health and wellness programs for people living with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and early stage dementia. In New York City, she was instrumental in securing large grants for the homeless and seniors living in isolation. Angel has supported and secured large grants for diverse agencies including federal funding under the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. In New Haven, Connecticut, Angel was the Program Director of the Psychology Department’s Master of Arts in Art Therapy and Counseling program at Albertus Magnus College and served as an Assistant Professor. At the Yale University Art Gallery, Angel founded, co-developed and co-facilitates the Arts in Mind program for persons living with dementia. In Fort Myers, Florida, Angel was the Research Associate and Director of Education for seven years at the Neuropsychiatric Research Center of Southwest Florida in phases I-IV Alzheimer's and psychiatric disorders clinical  trials. She is a considered a Key Opinion Leader in the biotech industry advising on rater assessments and applications, patient education and recruitment marketing campaigns.

 

Currently, Angel is the Program Manager, Clinical Trials and Education in the U.S. Clinical Operations division at Life Molecular Imaging, a global pharmaceutical company based in Berlin that specializes in amyloid/tau biomarker PET imaging in neurological and cardiac diseases. She was an Adjunct Professor at the University of Tampa and guest teaches at various universities and medical teaching hospitals across the country. She has trained and implemented a multitude of mental health and wellness programs in diverse communities for those living with cognitive, developmental and neurological disorders. She resides on the Board of Directors for the Cognitive Dynamics Foundation, and for the Alzheimer's Education Resource Services (AERS). In addition, she holds council on the Medical Advisory Board for Lorenzo’s House, a nonprofit supporting persons living with young-onset Alzheimer’s disease. Angel served as a Journal Peer Reviewer and resided on the Research Committee for the American Art Therapy Association (AATA), and as a Journal Peer Reviewer for Frontiers in Psychology and the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease (JAD).

 

Angel has been featured in diverse media, including: The Los Angeles Times, The Mercury News, The Star Ledger, CBS, ABC News, NPR, Neurology Now (Brain & Life), YouTube, iHeartRadio, HuffPost, among others. She is a widely published author, some of her contributions include: The Journal of Neurology and Neurological Disorders, The Handbook of Geriatric Neurology, Practical Neurology, Surgical Medicine Open Access Journal, Frontiers in Psychology, Irish Association of Creative Arts Therapists (Polyphony), Creative Arts-Based Group Therapy with Adolescents, Art Therapy and Healthcare, Art, Angst and Trauma and The Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease.  She was a contributing writer for The Huffington Post and Linkedin, blogging on mental health, dementia care and lifestyle elements. Angel is an internationally recognized speaker and consultant who works with leading organizations in brain health and aging in place initiatives.