Emily Paolillo, PhD, is an assistant professor and neuropsychologist at the UCSF Edward and Pearl Fein Memory and Aging Center, part of the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences. Her clinical and research work is dedicated to enhancing the understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
Dr. Paolillo earned her PhD in clinical psychology, with an emphasis in neuropsychology, from the SDSU/UCSD Joint Doctoral Program in 2021. During her doctoral training, she completed a predoctoral clinical internship at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System, where she gained extensive experience working with older adults and individuals with neurodegenerative conditions.
Her research focuses on advancing methods to assess cognition and daily functioning in older adults in real-world environments. Dr. Paolillo is particularly interested in developing and validating digital health tools that can sensitively detect early changes in Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. By integrating technology into clinical care and research, her work aims to enhance the early identification of cognitive and functional decline, leading to more effective care and intervention strategies.
Dr. Paolillo is passionate about using innovative approaches to enhance the quality of life for individuals affected by neurodegenerative conditions and their caregivers. She collaborates with interdisciplinary teams at UCSF and beyond to translate her research findings into practical solutions that benefit patients and families.