Auriel Willette Faculty Diversity Collaborative Peer Network profile
About
As a Rutgers Presidential Diversity Initiative Faculty Scholar, Dr. Willette transitioned to Rutgers University in late 2023. Dr. Willette examines why some older adults develop Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) versus others who remain cognitively healthy. To better understand risk profiles and potential therapeutics, he searches for disease biomarkers in CSF or blood using proteomics, metabolomics, genomics, and other data-driven methods. He complements this approach with expertise in neuroimaging, immunity, endocrinology, nutrition, and both cognitive and affective domains.
Current Work
Dr. Willette looks at immunologic, gut microbiome, and other factors that affect brain aging among recent or well-established South Asian adult immigrants. These adults are more at risk for type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and other glucoregulatory diseases. More broadly, he processes brain scans, behavioral data, and other data for several longitudinal cohorts.