Rhoda Au

Rhoda Au is a professor of anatomy and neurobiology, neurology, medicine, and epidemiology at Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine and School of Public Health. Au serves as co-principal investigator of the Framingham Heart Study Brain Aging Program and director of neuropsychology, where she integrates digital technologies to advance brain health research. Her work focuses on combining technology and neuroscience to develop innovative approaches to aging and dementia.

Au's research centers on developing digital biomarkers using smartphones and tablets to detect characteristics of Alzheimer's disease decades before symptoms appear, supporting early intervention and home-based monitoring. This work, supported by the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation's Diagnostics Accelerator, aims to create digital profiles that distinguish stable cognition from cognitive decline and dementia, contributing to advancements in accessible diagnostics. Au also directs global cohort development for the Davos Alzheimer’s Collaborative, contributing to precision brain health initiatives.

Au has received the Melvin R. Goodes Prize for Excellence in Alzheimer’s Drug Development for her contributions to leveraging artificial intelligence and technology in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's care. She has appeared on the "Dementia Matters" podcast and presented at AD/PD conferences, communicating scientific insights to a range of audiences. As an investigator in interdisciplinary centers, Au continues to contribute to solutions in neurology and public health.