She earned a PhD in Psychology from the University of California at Irvine, an M.P.H. from California State University, San Diego, a Doctoral-level Graduate Certificate in Gerontology and a PhD in Measurement, Statistics and Evaluation from the University of Maryland, College Park. Dr. Tractenberg's research interests include modeling biomarkers and the measurement of symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, and understanding how inaccuracies in measurement affect statistical modeling and interpretation of outcomes of clinical trials. She has published over 50 papers reflecting these interests as well as her work in reading disability, sleep disturbance, the assessment of change, and the scholarship of teaching and learning.