ROOTS: Revealing cognitive Outcomes in ‘zeroth gen’ Older immigranTS
About ROOTS
Immigrant workers play a crucial and positive role in the fabric of the American society. However, the challenges pertaining to the care of their aging parents have been regrettably neglected. It has been a collective struggle shared among immigrant families in balancing lives in the US with the enduring ties to their ROOTS. Instead, immigrant workers may bring their aging parents to the US for extended visits—efforts proven to be crucial in maintaining familial bonds and cultural intactness.
These older parents, residing in the US and bonded to their adult children, form a unique demographic: the ‘zeroth generation’ immigrants. There is not adequate attention on how their unique experience may influence their aging trajectories. We propose the ROOTS study, which is an observational cohort of this unique demographic, to advance our understanding of the aging profile and structural determinants shaping the aging trajectory of the zeroth generation immigrants.
ROOTS News
May 29, 2025
We’re excited to share that the ROOTS Study has officially completed the full assessment protocol and 10-day actigraphy monitoring for its first two participants! This marks an important milestone in our mission to uncover how immigration-related stress, sleep and circadian rhythms influence cognitive aging in immigrant populations.
We are actively recruiting participants in the Greater Boston area. If you or someone you know may be eligible and interested, we’d love to hear from you!
This work would not be possible without generous support. If you’re interested in supporting this impactful study, please contact us to learn more about partnership opportunities.
Together, we’re growing the future of inclusive, community-centered brain health research.
Apr 21, 2025
We are excited to share that recruitment for this study has officially started!
Nov 27, 2024
We are excited to announce the launch of the website for the ROOTS study!
Get Involved
ROOTS Researchers
Peng Li
Principal Investigator
Lei Gao
Co-Investigator
Kun Hu
Co-Investigator
Albert S. Yeung
Co-Investigator
Ruixue Cai
Postdoc Researcher
Chenlu Gao
Postdoc Researcher
Supporting ROOTS
Help us make a difference in the lives of aging immigrant parents who face unique challenges as they adjust to life in the U.S.
Aging immigrant parents face significant hurdles, from social isolation to health challenges. Please join us in supporting groundbreaking research that addresses the health needs of aging immigrant communities. By donating, you are helping us provide essential insights and resources for this underserved group. We appreciate your generosity and commitment to advancing this vital research.
To make a donation, please email the PI, Dr. Peng Li. We will make sure that we connect you with the Development Office of the Mass General Brigham (MGB).
Alternatively, you can email the MGB Development Office and specify that you would like to make a donation to the Laboratory for Sleep and Digital Health for the ROOTS Study!