Biography

Dr. Christy Phillips has over 30 years of combined research and community-based experience encompassing the fields of gerontology, cognitive aging, and health promotion program design and implementation. Dr. Phillips received her B.S. Degree in Human Nutrition and Foods from Virginia Tech and her M.S.S. in Fitness Management from the United States Sports Academy, and her Ph.D. in Aging Studies from the University of South Florida. She held postdoctoral research positions focusing on cognitive aging at Penn State University and physical activity behaviors at Arizona State University. Prior to joining Clemson, Dr. Phillips developed and implemented health and wellness programs for older adults living independently and in residential care settings.

Dr. Phillips’s research is focused on early detection of cognitive decline using everyday functional markers, and on behavioral interventions to prevent or delay the onset of cognitive impairment and/or dementia. She is co-chair of the SC-ADRC Outreach, Recruitment, and Engagement Core and a member of the SC-ADRC Digital Biomarker Core. Dr. Phillips is an Assistant Research Professor in the Department of Psychology at Clemson University, a faculty affiliate with the Clemson Institute for Engaged Aging and holds a Faculty Scholar appointment in the Clemson University School of Health Research.