Dr. Cotton received his PhD in clinical investigation from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a Master of Science in Social Administration from Case Western Reserve University, and a Bachelor of Arts in sociology and social welfare from Marquette University. He completed postdoctoral training at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Cotton has specialized training in clinical trials, qualitative research methods, and behavioral intervention design.
Dr. Cotton is a gerontologist aiming to increase the adoption of effective culturally responsive interventions for persons with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) and their caregivers. His program of research examines the influence of life events, social position, and Social “ISMs” (i.e., racism, ageism, ableism) on health and wellbeing across the lifecourse. Dr. Cotton also investigates the experiences of marginalized populations utilizing clinical and community services and mechanisms that underpin intervention and implementation processes. His overall program of research addresses systemic barriers to achieving optimal health status in communities by strengthening community-level structural supports for marginalized and stigmatized populations, especially for persons with ADRD and their caregivers.
Dr. Cotton has two decades of diverse clinical and macro practice experiences in various role such as clinic manager, foundation program officer, community planner, and public health consultant. He is engaged in several health promotion projects focused on strengthening the capacity of residents and systems through programmatic and policy innovations.
Mentoring and Advising
Dr. Cotton deeply values supporting trainees at all levels across the social and health sciences. For trainees interested in connecting with Dr. Cotton for mentoring and research opportunities, please contact him via email.
Cotton, Q.D., Albers, E., Ingvalson S., Skalla, E. Bailey, D., Marx, K., Anderson, K., Dabelko-Schoeny, H., Parker, L., Gitlin, L., & Gaugler, J.E. (2024). Qualitative Analysis of Implementation Factors, Feasibility and Acceptability of Embedding a Caregiver Support Intervention into Adult Day Services. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease 98(2), 445-463. doi.org: 10.3233/JAD-230787. PMID: 38461501.
Jin, Y., Bowers, J., Cotton, Q.D., & Ersing, A.L. (2024). Self-identified life stressors and their impact on self-care in Chinese older adults with multiple chronic conditions: A qualitative content analysis. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 33(4), 1550-1561. doi: 10.1111/jocn.16979.
Golden, B.P., Block, L., Benson, C., Cotton, Q.D., Wieben, A., Kaiksow, F., & Gilmore-Bykovskyi, A. (2023). Experiences of In-Hospital Care among Dementia Caregivers in the Context of High Neighborhood Level Disadvantage. Journal of American Geriatrics Society, 71(11), 3435-3444. doi: 10.1111/jgs.18541. PMID: 37548026.
Cotton Q.D., Kind A.J.H., Kim A.J., Block L.M., Thyrian J.R., Monsees J., Shah M.N., & Gilmore-Bykovskyi A (2021). Dementia Caregivers' Experiences Engaging Supportive Services While Residing in Under-Resourced Areas. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, 84(1):169-177. doi: 10.3233/JAD-210609. PMID: 34487046; PMCID: PMC8565358.
- Black Families and Communities
- Dementia and Caregiving
- Social ISMs and Health Equity
- Clinical and Community Service Utilization
- Intervention and Implementation Science
