2026 Methods Summit

Suzanne M. Collins is the mother of five (adult) children, three of which were diagnosed with a rare genetic condition, Peroxisomal Biogenesis Disorder–Zellweger Spectrum Disorder (PBD-ZSD). Sadly, in 2017, Suzanne’s youngest daughter succumbed to the debilitating effects of her rare genetic condition at only 15 years of age.

Dr. Tabassum Majid is a Senior Program Officer in the Systems Comparative Effectiveness Research Unit at PCORI, where she oversees a portfolio of studies with a wide range of focus areas, including older adults, sensory health, multiple chronic conditions, and caregiving. She also has led strategic initiatives and served as a subject matter expert for these areas within and outside the organization. Before joining PCORI, Dr. Majid was Executive Director of the Integrace Institute, the nation's only non-profit research, education, and consulting institute embedded within Integrace, an aging services organization serving 2000+ older adults through home and community-based services. She oversaw a team and national portfolio of research projects which included clinical trials, telehealth, and care practice studies related to aging, caregiving, and dementia. In addition, she developed an internal philosophy of person-centered research for Integrace to provide an evidence-base for both health services and tailored social programs. Her consulting portfolio, which included strategic planning, quality of care evaluation, and patient-reported outcome development, influenced quality of care standards for older adults across the nation. Previously, Dr. Majid was a post-doctoral fellow at the University of Maryland, School of Pharmacy conducting health services research on care management and patient engagement involving caregivers, providers, and individuals with dementia. Simultaneously, she is Adjunct Faculty at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, where she has taught, mentored and supervised undergraduate and graduate students in leadership, management, and research methods. She also served as an appointed member of the MD Governor's Council on Alzheimer's Disease & Related Dementias, influencing policy and contributing to Maryland's State Plan. She has published several scientific articles and a book chapter on dementia, caregiving, patient engagement, patient-reported outcomes, and chronic disease management. Dr. Majid earned a BS in Interdisciplinary Studies: Neurodegenerative Disorders of the Aged from UMBC as well as a MA in Aging Services from the Erickson School of Aging Studies. She also earned her PhD in Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine from Baylor College of Medicine.