INDIANAPOLIS — Research leaders at the Indiana University School of Medicine will receive two of the top six awards given out by the Alzheimer’s Association at its annual international conference, the largest of its kind, held this year in Toronto.
The honors coincide with a strong overall showing at the conference, which runs from July 27-31, by IU scientists, who helped stage more than 150 sessions, workshops and exhibits.
Bruce Lamb, PhD, will receive the Zaven Khachaturian Award, given to “an individual whose compelling vision, selfless dedication and extraordinary achievement has significantly advanced the field of Alzheimer science.”
Donna Wilcock, PhD, will receive the Bill Thies Award for Distinguished Service to ISTAART (International Society to Advance Alzheimer’s Research and Treatment), the Alzheimer’s Association’s inclusive global network of scientists, clinicians and dementia professionals.
Lamb, the IU School of Medicine’s Roberts Family Chair in Alzheimer’s Disease Research and executive director of the Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, said it is “an incredible honor” to receive the award named after a leading figure in the history of tackling Alzheimer's disease in the United States.
“This is an incredibly momentous time for the Alzheimer's research community, and I have been delighted to play a leadership role at both the Alzheimer's Association and Indiana University School of Medicine,” Lamb said. “I also receive this award on behalf of the students, staff and trainees that I have had the pleasure of working with and who have supported me throughout the years."
Wilcock, director of the Center for Neurodegenerative Disorders and the Barbara and Larry Sharpf Professor in Alzheimer's Disease Research at the IU School of Medicine, called her award “especially meaningful” given ISTAART’s impact on her career.
In 2016, Lamb and Wilcock established the immunity and neurodegeneration professional interest area within ISTAART. The group now has hundreds of members.
Wilcock was elected to the ISTAART Advisory Council in 2017 and served as vice-chair in 2018 and chair from 2020-2022. During that time, trainees were offered council seats for the first time, and six new professional interest areas were established.
“I remain committed to advancing the ISTAART vision and programs to ensure the next generation receives all the support and career development opportunities the field can provide,” Wilcock said.
In addition to the awards, IU School of Medicine researchers presented dozens of informative sessions at the conference, which is the largest and most influential gathering of scientists studying Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
Tatiana Foroud, PhD, executive associate dean for research affairs, and Jeff Dage, PhD, senior research professor of neurology, each hosted pre-conference workshops.
Several IU-led projects are on exhibit at the event: National Centralized Repository for Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (NCRAD), Longitudinal Early-onset AD Study (LEADS) and Model Organism Development and Evaluation for Late-onset Alzheimer’s Disease (MODEL-AD).
“Indiana University’s exceptional Alzheimer’s disease research programs are accelerating development of new potential drug targets and less invasive testing technology,” said Maria Carrillo, PhD, chief science officer and medical affairs lead for the Alzheimer’s Association. “The Alzheimer’s Association looks forward to many more years of strengthening our partnership with the talented and dedicated team at Indiana University as we work together to provide hope for nearly 7 million Americans living with this devastating disease.”
About the Indiana University School of Medicine
The IU School of Medicine is the largest medical school in the U.S. and is annually ranked among the top medical schools in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. The school offers high-quality medical education, access to leading medical research and rich campus life in nine Indiana cities, including rural and urban locations consistently recognized for livability. According to the Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research, the IU School of Medicine ranks No. 13 in 2024 National Institutes of Health funding among all public medical schools in the country.
Writer: Rory Appleton, rapplet@iu.edu
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