Meet the Lab
Francesca Falzarano, PhD
Lab Director
Dr. Falzarano, Director of The FFCL, is a developmental psychologist and Assistant Professor at the University of Southern California’s Leonard Davis School of Gerontology. Motivated by her own experiences serving as the primary caregiver for both parents from a young age, Dr. Falzarano’s research aims to understand and address the diverse, evolving needs of caregivers throughout the dementia journey, from diagnosis to bereavement, and examine how to leverage technology to better support family caregivers. She is currently funded by the National Institute on Aging to develop and evaluate a web-based tool that connects caregivers with relevant resources to meet their needs. Her overall goal is to establish a line of innovative, technology-based intervention work to connect vulnerable caregivers with personalized resources to enhance well-being.
Annabelle Greenfield
Research Coordinator
Annabelle joined the FFCL in September 2022 after graduating magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Fordham University earlier that year. As a Research Coordinator in the FFCL, she has dedicated her work to improving the well-being of dementia family caregivers and understanding community needs through user-centered, technology-based interventions. Annabelle is also currently pursuing a Master of Science in Applied Technology and Aging at USC’s Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, where she continues to develop expertise in gerontechnology and age-related research.
Research Assistants
Kate Bumbalova
Kate graduated from the University of Washington in Seattle in 2025 with a bachelor's degree in Psychology and Data Science. She joined the FFCL team in March 2023 and is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Gerontology at USC's Leonard Davis School of Gerontology. She hopes to work directly with individuals living with neurodegenerative conditions and the families who care for them while also exploring opportunities in policy to advocate for meaningful change in the field.
Elizabeth Rojas
Elizabeth is currently a third-year PhD student and a Tingstad Fellow at the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology. As a Research Assistant in the Falzarano Family Caregiving Lab, Elizabeth is interested in understanding caregiving for patients affected by cognitive decline and its implications on an expert level. A gerontologist by training, Elizabeth's ultimate ambition is to help older adults and their families alleviate their most acute stressors.
Marguerite Larson
Marguerite is an undergraduate student at the University of Southern California who joined the FFCL team in May 2024. She is majoring in Human Development and Aging on the social science track and is minoring in dance. She hopes to make an impact on the well-being of older adults by focusing on enhancing their lives through research and advocacy.
Nisa Qureshi
Nisa is an undergraduate student at the University of Southern California who joined the FFCL team in November 2025. She is pursuing a degree in Psychology with the goal of improving individuals’ wellbeing, both mentally and physically. Inspired by her experiences caring for her grandparents, she has developed a strong passion for supporting older adults and their caregivers. In the future, Nisa hopes to combine her background in psychology with her work in this lab to better serve patients and caregivers.
Aani Nagaiah
Aani is an undergraduate student at the University of Southern California's Leonard Davis School of Gerontology majoring in Health and Aging, with a minor in News Media and Society at the Annenberg School. She joined the FFCL team in January 2026. Inspired by volunteering as a musician at a memory care facility, she co-founded Our Ode to You, a nonprofit that brings music and arts programming to memory care communities across the country. She hopes to combine her research in gerontology and the humanities with her work in health journalism to better support older adults and the families who care for them throughout her career.
Maaha Hashmani
Maaha is an undergraduate student at the University of Southern California pursuing a dual degree in Human Development & Aging and Health & Human Sciences. She joined the FFCL team in August 2025. Inspired by the caregiving experiences of her grandparents and parents, she developed a deep passion for supporting older adults and their families. She hopes to not only improve the well-being of aging populations but also celebrate their resilience, wisdom, and stories.
Victoria Rhee
Victoria is an undergraduate at the University of Southern California, majoring in Human Development and Aging at the School of Gerontology. She joined the Falzarano Family Caregiving Lab in May 2026. Victoria is passionate about exploring the intersection between technology and gerontology, particularly in developing digital tools that help improve the quality of life for older adults and caregivers.