Jay is passionate about examining how social relationships and stressful experiences affect mental and cognitive health as people age, with particular interests in loneliness, social isolation, and elder maltreatment. He also develops and evaluates accessible mental health programs for older adults, including online and remote interventions. 

Kayser’s research is informed by his professional experience as a clinical social worker in health care. His work aims to identify factors that put older adults’ well-being at risk and inform services that support mental and cognitive health. Kayser earned his undergraduate degrees in psychology and social work from the University of Iowa.