# RR&D Research Career Scientist Award Application

> **NIH VA IK6** · VA SAN DIEGO HEALTHCARE SYSTEM · 2020 · —

## Abstract

Dr. Twamley bridges neuropsychology and rehabilitation research by developing Compensatory Cognitive
Training (CCT/CogSMART) interventions and conducting randomized controlled trials to test their efficacy in
improving cognition, everyday functioning, and quality of life. These outcomes are important to Veterans, their
loved ones, clinicians, VHA, and society, as cognition and functional abilities are directly related to disability
and community integration. Indeed, cognitive health is considered a “third pillar” of health, alongside physical
health and mental health, and is considered vital in the VA’s Whole Health approach to healthcare. Dr.
Twamley’s currently funded studies are all focused on Veterans with cognitive impairment (e.g., due to
traumatic brain injury, mild cognitive impairment, Parkinson’s disease, hoarding disorder, or other mental
health conditions). She is currently PI or Co-PI of studies funded by VA RRD, VA CSRD, Department of
Defense, and the National Science Foundation, and serves as a Co-Investigator on studies funded by VA
RRD, VA CSRD, and DoD. Her research uses intervention manuals she and her colleagues developed to
target impairments in prospective memory, attention, learning and memory, and executive functioning, which
have shown efficacy in multiple domains of cognition and functioning in multiple neuropsychiatric populations.
Many of the compensatory strategies taught are simple habits used by many successful people (e.g., using a
calendar system for all scheduling and checking it regularly; using organizational approaches to learning and
remembering; planning to meet goals and deadlines by listing goal steps and assigning them due dates). Her
current RRD Merit Award focuses on CCT for homeless Veterans with mental health conditions receiving
residential mental health rehabilitation and treatment; her current CSRD Merit Award trial is examining
Motivationally-Enhanced CCT for older Veterans with mild cognitive impairment, and combines compensatory
cognitive strategies with lifestyle strategies (e.g., physical activity, nutrition, and sleep-related behaviors to
reduce dementia risk). Her newer work seeks to find new ways of implementing cognitive rehabilitation
interventions (e.g., in combination with pharmaceuticals targeting brain inflammation; in combination with other
psychosocial rehabilitation interventions; compensatory cognitive training in combination with computerized
cognitive training; delivery via mobile app or telemedicine; briefer, more personalized interventions; delivery via
cognitively assistive robots). Other research interests include cognitive impairment and disability in homeless
Veterans, supported employment to assist those with cognitive impairments in returning to work, cognitive
impairment in PTSD, and the use of technology to improve cognition and mental health. Dr. Twamley has a
rich network of collaborators locally, nationally, and internationally, and she collaborates with researchers...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10069157
- **Project number:** 1IK6RX003504-01
- **Recipient organization:** VA SAN DIEGO HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
- **Principal Investigator:** Elizabeth W Twamley
- **Activity code:** IK6 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** VA
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** —
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-10-01 → 2025-09-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10069157

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10069157, RR&D Research Career Scientist Award Application (1IK6RX003504-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10069157. Licensed CC0.

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