Vijeth iyengar

A cognitive neuroscientist by training, Dr. Vijeth Iyengar is the Director of Global Aging at AARP where he leads cutting-edge research, drives thought leadership on global aging issues, and cultivates strategic alliances to promote the enterprises vision for the global 50+ population.

Prior to joining AARP, Dr. Iyengar spent half-a-decade as a civil servant in the U.S. Government advancing a range of policies and programs to improve the overall health and well-being of older Americans and their families. During this period – spanning the Obama, Trump, and Biden administrations – he served in a number of capacities including as a Policy Advisor to the 4th Chief Technology Officer at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, Brain Health Lead and Technical Advisor to the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Aging, co-lead coordinator of the Older Adult working group for the Department of Health and Human Services Healthy People 2020/2030 Initiative, and as lead author of the U.S. Country Report for the Fourth Review and Appraisal of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing – a process overseen by the United Nations.

Among other recognitions, he was selected as an Aspen Ideas Festival Health Fellow, a Presidential Management Fellow, a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow, and recipient of a Telly Award for AARP's Aging Readiness & Competitiveness Initiative. Dr. Iyengar's writings and insights have appeared in U.S.-based (e.g., Brookings, Council on Foreign Relations, Devex, JAMA Health Forum, Scientific American) and international media outlets (e.g., Bangkok Post, Hindustan Times, The Hindu). He is currently a Salzburg Global Fellow, a Nonresident Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council, and an Advisor to Ashoka's New Longevity Initiative.

A native of Louisiana, he was a visiting undergraduate student at Cornell University, earned his bachelor’s degree from Tulane University, and master's and doctoral degrees from Duke University.