Equity in Brain Health

Improving brain health and reducing the impact of dementia worldwide.

BASED AT THE GLOBAL BRAIN HEALTH INSTITUTE

JALAYNE ARIAS

Assistant professor, Memory and Aging Center, Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) San Francisco, U.S.

MIRCEA BALASA

Neurologist, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona Barcelona, Spain

NICOLE BATSCH

Gerontologist and global consultant Chicago, U.S.

ELEONORE BAYEN

Assistant professor, Sorbonne Université; Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital Paris, France

Investigating the legal and ethical challenges associated with the individual and social burden linked with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias through public policy initiatives. Developing tools for an early diagnosis of cognitive impairment. Also interested in new modalities of patient engagement for an early identification of cognitive decline in the general population. Understanding how people with dementia can lead more meaningful lives under human rights’ objectives. Designing, testing and validating new prototypes monitoring cognitive disorders; studying patterns of disability, clinical evolution, and unmet care needs; and analyzing socioeconomics datasets.

ALISSA BERNSTEIN

Assistant professor, Institute for Health Policy Studies, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) San Francisco, U.S.

DOMINIC CAMPBELL

Director, Creative Aging International Dublin, Ireland

Creating effective interventions tailored to the sociocultural context of patients and their caregivers, with attention to the social determinants that cause and perpetuate ill health and disease. Developing project prototypes, infused with art and creativity, backed by solid evidence and responding to need and local circumstance to help reduce the fear of age and its related illnesses among elders.

MARÍA CARMONA-IRAGUI

Faculty neurologist, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau Barcelona, Spain

Researching cognitive impairment and biomarkers in the continuum of sporadic Alzheimer’s disease and Down syndrome for insights into biological and epidemiological contributors to Alzheimer’s disease.

LAURENT CLERET DE LANGAVANT

Assistant professor in neurology, Paris-Est University; behavioral neurologist, Henri Mondor Hospital Paris, France

Analyzing large, populationbased cohort studies to generate a global perspective on dementia risk factors in the general population in two different continents.

BÁRBARA COSTA BEBER

Assistant professor of speech and language pathology, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre Porto Alegre, Brazil

CHRISTINE FITZGERALD

Postdoctoral researcher, National University of Ireland Galway Galway, Ireland

ELAINE HOWARD

Independent consultant, Dementia Focus Myshall, Ireland

HANY IBRAHIM

Geriatric medicine consultant, assistant professor of geriatric medicine, Ain Shams University Hospital Cairo, Egypt

Raising awareness in dementia in 40,000 speech and language therapists in Brazil by examining their current knowledge and awareness of dementia and communication disorders in dementia. Exploring the role of community services such as Alzheimer cafés in supporting social citizenship, and developing a psychosocial evaluation strategy to mobilize and enhance psychosocial interventions. Delivering bespoke consultancy in service reform and training solutions to dementia service providers and innovators who seek to provide personalized care and support for people living with dementia. Working to use modern technology and software platforms for early detection and diagnosis of dementia. Co-founder of Ain Shams Cognitive Training Lab.

ELISSAIOS KARAGEORGIOU

Behavioral and sleep neurologist, Sleep and Memory Center, Neurological Institute of Athens Athens, Greece

SILVIA KOCHEN

Neurologist and director Neurosciences and Complex Systems Unit, Hospital El Cruce, Buenos Aires, Argentina

JOSH KORNBLUTH

Monologuist, filmmaker and video host, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Berkeley, U.S.

HEIDI CLARE LAMBERT

Music educator and performer Cotopaxi, U.S.

Elucidating brain rhythm patterns of dementia syndromes across the sleepwake cycle, with the goal of improving diagnosis, prognosis and treatment response, and promoting dementia health. Providing primary care dementia training and education packages for general practitioners to improve the early diagnosis of dementia, and developing treatment and prevention strategies. Connecting brain science with social justice by hosting, writing, and producing the video series “Citizen Brain”, and by creating a theatrical monologue about empathy and democracy. Producing a radio program about aging and the creative process, showing how brains benefit from musical engagement. Also developing a musical curriculum for adult day health.

JORGE LLIBRE GUERRA

Research fellow, Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer’s Network; cognitive neurologist, National Institute of Neurology (Cuba) St. Louis, U.S.

Researching admixture, ethnicity and health-social disparities in dementia. Developing a program in Cuba to train health care providers and educate the community about aging, mental health and dementia.

CLAIRE MCEVOY

Lecturer, assistant professor in nutrition and aging research, Queen’s University Belfast Belfast, United Kingdom

ROGERIO PANIZZUTTI

Associate professor, Institute of Psychiatry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Investigating the role of diet in brain aging and dementia by analyzing population data and testing scalable dietary interventions for brain health. Understanding how computerized tools can be integrated into scalable, multidisciplinary interventions for the longterm care of brain health.

GEESKE PEETERS

Senior researcher and research coordinator, Radboud University Medical Centre, Dept. of Geriatric Medicine and Radboud umc Alzheimer Centre Utrecht, Netherlands

Understanding and improving strategies to promote physical and cognitive functioning, and prevent functional decline, falls, fear of falling and dementia.

ELISA DE PAULA FRANÇA RESENDE

Neurologist, Hospital das Clínicas UFMG-EBSERH; assistant professor, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas de Minas Gerais Belo Horizonte, Brazil

Studying the effects of latelife literacy acquisition as a dementia prevention tool through improving memory and increasing connections between brain areas.

ADRIÀ ROFES

Assistant professor, University of Groningen Groningen, Netherlands

FIONNUALA SWEENEY

Journalist; multimedia editor, Atlantic Institute Dublin, Ireland

JAMIE TALAN

Science writer, Neurology Today Boise, U.S.

Enhancing our understanding of brain behavior relations and applying this knowledge to improve assessment and treatment protocols for neurological conditions leading to aphasia. Hearing from a wide range of people working in the dementia space, her podcast series “Dementia is Global” aims to raise global awareness about brain health to change attitudes and policies. Developing and implementing an online monthly lecture series and a U.S. support group for patients with posterior cortical atrophy and their caregivers.

IOANNIS TARNANAS

Chief scientific officer, Altoida Inc. Houston, U.S.

LINA VELILLA

Psychologist and epidemiologist Medellin, Colombia

ADAM WASKOW

Founder, Memory Dog Inc. Marin, U.S.

STELIOS ZYGOURIS

Postdoctoral researcher, Centre for Research & Technology Hellas/ Information & Technologies Institute (CERTH/ ITI) Thessaloniki, Greece

Improving computational biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease and developing a responsible strategy to implement this technology and utilize machine intelligence for disease prevention. Developing strategies to address the stress and burden-related stigma among caregivers of patients with early onset dementia, caused by the e280a mutation in Antioquia. Researching how animalassisted therapies and interventions could affect care and improve outcomes in a variety of environments and applications; in particular, the use of therapy dogs with dementia patients. Developing computerized memory tests for early detection of Alzheimer’s disease, including the first serious game that older adults can use on their own to screen for signs of subtle cognitive decline.

TALA AL-ROUSAN

Assistant professor, University of California, San Diego (UCSD) San Diego, U.S.

PHAEDRA BELL

Education leader and social intervention designer San Francisco, U.S.

KRYSTAL L. CULLER

Founder and creative director, Virtual Brain Health Center Poland, U.S.

EMMA CUNNINGHAM

Clinical lecturer in aging in the Centre for Public Health, Queen’s University Belfast Belfast, United Kingdom

Investigating how the stress of war and displacement affects dementia rates in refugees in the Middle East. Co-designed the Atlantic Fellows Thematic Forum in Jordan for learning about migration and health. Developing a program for young adults to partner with older adults to mitigate risk factors for dementia and other health challenges through regular, meaningful interactions across generations. Developing innovative brain health and memory programs and services. Implementing population health approaches for individuals and carers, aimed at dementia risk prevention. Advancing perioperative research and care. Contributing to the global literature on cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers in early Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.

ELIZABETH DZENG

Assistant professor of medicine and sociology, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) San Francisco, U.S.

Examining the influence of structural racism, cultures and ethics of neoliberalism on the provision of goaldiscordant end-of-life care in older adults with and without dementia in the United States and the United Kingdom.

DERYA DURUSU EMEK-SAVAS

Associate professor, Departments of Psychology and Neurosciences, Dokuz Eylul University Izmir, Turkey

Developing and using computerized cognitive training programs as an intervention for people with cognitive impairment and for the prevention of cognitive decline in the aging population.

CORRINA GRIMES

Advance care planning lead, Department of Health, Northern Ireland; head of Business Change, Encompass Northern Ireland (Health and Social Care Board) Belfast, Northern Ireland

Engaging in health and social care policy development and implementation; and currently developing an advance care planning policy for Northern Ireland.

ALEJANDRA GUERRERO BARRAGÁN

Neurologist, Subred de Salud Sur Occidente Bogota, Colombia

Conducting epidemiological research to understand better the situation of dementia patients and their caregivers in Bogota. Studying cognitive impairment in different vulnerable populations.

KRISTA HARRISON

Assistant professor, Division of Geriatrics and Philip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) San Francisco, U.S.

SANDRA HIGUET

Head of the Geriatric Department, Centre Hospitalier Nivelles-Tubize Nivelles, Belgium

Developing evidence and interventions to address palliative care needs of people with dementia, prion disease, and other serious illnesses through clinical interventions, care systems or equitable policy. Working to create an integrated care facility for the management of patients with mild cognitive impairment or dementia.

CATHERINE JORDAN

Experimental psychologist Dublin, Ireland

Pursuing the relationship between musical expertise and the development of dementia, and exploring the mechanisms underpinning this association, and music as therapy.

YUE LENG

Assistant professor of psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) San Francisco, U.S.

Developing interventional studies targeting improved sleep and cognition, which have the potential to help prevent the onset and progression of dementia in high-risk populations.

MARIANA LONGORIA IBARROLA

Faculty, National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery Mexico City, Mexico

DAVID LOUGHREY

Postdoctoral fellow, Trinity College Dublin Dublin, Ireland

JERÓNIMO MARTIN

Clinical fellow in stroke and emergency care, NHS Scotland Mexico City, Mexico

LUIS ARNOLDO MUÑOZ NEVÁREZ

Geriatric and internal medicine specialist Guadalajara, Mexico

Part of 10/66 Dementia Research Group, carrying out population-based research into dementia in low- and middle-income countries. Researching the relationship between hearing loss and the development of dementia through neurocognitive assessment of older adults with hearing loss. Improving the treatment, diagnosis and prevention of stroke. Developing multicenter studies and programs to diminish stroke risk factors and work to identify populations at high risk of stroke. Improving prevention, diagnosis and treatment strategies for older adults living with HIV and HIVassociated neurocognitive disorder. Promoting dementia awareness and early diagnosis in Mexico.

BRENDA PÉREZ CERPA

Geriatric medicine specialist Guadalajara, Mexico

CLAUDIA PATRICIA RAMOS-PEREZ

Psychiatrist and Ph.D. student, University of Antioquia Havana, Cuba

ANA MARGARITA RODRIGUEZ SALGADO

Neuropsychologist Havana, Cuba

TALITA ROSA

Neurology Resident, University of Louisville Louisville, U.S.

Establishing innovative ways of bringing palliative and supportive care to people with dementia, and developing tangible policies or strategies that raise awareness of advanced directives. Working to determine factors related to the onset and progression of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. Introducing technologybased cognitive assessments and support to the Cuban population. Studying the economic and psychological burden of informal caregiving for dementia in Brazil.

CLAIRE SEXTON

Director, Scientific Programs and Outreach, Alzheimer’s Association Chicago, U.S.

KONSTANTINA SYKARA

Clinical psychologist, Neurological Institute of Athens/ Athens Medical Center Athens, Greece

BOON LEAD TEE

Associate specialist and neurologist, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) San Francisco, U.S.

JENNY ZITSER

World Sleep Society’s International Sleep Research Training Program Fellow, Stanford University San Francisco, U.S.

Leading research programs and initiatives to accelerate the Alzheimer’s Association’s scientific agenda. Evaluating whether cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBTi) is an effective treatment intervention in patients with mild cognitive impairment and their caregivers. Developing an anatomicalspecific and linguistically adapted Chinese Language Assessment in PPA battery for the Chinese-speaking population. Studying impacts of cultural characteristics on social cognitive functions. Investigating non-motor manifestations of synucleinopathies, including cognitive, sleep and autonomic disturbances to be used as biomarkers for this specific group of diseases.

RUFUS AKINYEMI

Senior research fellow, University of Ibadan Ibadan, Nigeria

JANE BENTLEY

Music specialist Glasgow, United Kingdom

KIRSTY BOBROW

Public health physician and epidemiologist Cape Town, South Africa

LAURA BOOI

Research associate, Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University Newcastle-upon-Tyne, United Kingdom

Nurturing leaders in Africa for collaborative work to improve brain health. Clinical, research and advocacy work focusing on vascular and degenerative brain disorders. Developing engagement in accessible participative music as a resource for social inclusion, building communicative partnerships and community integration across the lifespan. Developing and testing mobile phone messaging through clinical trials to support treatment adherence in adults with high blood pressure and diabetes in primary care settings. Leading efforts to build inclusive communities through co-producing research with people living with dementia, and developing social entrepreneurial ventures to connect and support dementia-focused leaders.

LENISA BRANDAO

Associate professor, Department of Health and Communication, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul Porto Alegre, Brazil

SIOBHAN CASEY

Director of marketing and business development, Age NI (Northern Ireland) Holywood, United Kingdom

GABRI CHRISTA

Associate professor of professional practice; director of Movement Lab, Barnard College, Columbia University New York, U.S.

WALTER DAWSON

Assistant professor, Oregon Health and Science University Portland, Oregon, U.S.

Promoting the social inclusion of older adults living with aphasia and raising awareness of health professionals to the power of art in improving communication and the quality of life. Driving change in the aging agenda to improve the wellbeing of older people. Facilitating art initiatives focused on understanding one another’s humanity. Curating dance, education and film events aimed at removing stigmas around age and race. Developing strategies to reduce the economic burden of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia through public policy interventions that better support individuals, family care partners and public programs that fund care.

MYRIAM DE LA CRUZ PUEBLA

Neurologist and researcher, The Cognition and Brain Plasticity Unit, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute; Ph.D. student, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain

Researching headaches to develop clinical, neurophysiological and genetical studies.

LAIS FAJERSZTJAN

Researcher, Laboratory of Environmental Air Pollution, University of São Paulo São Paulo, Brazil

Investigating urban and environmental health to understand the effects of air pollution on neurodegenerative diseases.

MIRIAM GALVIN

Associate professor in research methodology, Academic Unit of Neurology, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin Dublin, Ireland

Working on research tracking patient and caregiver journeys, interaction with health services, as well as the conceptualization and assessment of quality of life and caregiver experiences.

SANA-E-ZEHRA HAIDRY

Scientific researcher and research consultant, University of Groningen; research consultant, Hashmanis Hospital Groningen, Netherlands

Employing a model to destigmatize, prevent and manage dementia. Addressing the lack of awareness about dementia in low- and middleincome countries.

AGUSTIN IBANEZ

Director, Latin American Brain Health Institute (BrainLat); director, Cognitive Neuroscience Center (CNC) Buenos Aires, Argentina Santiago, Chile

Empowering Latin American networks and researchers to fight dementia collaboratively.

STEFANIA ILINCA

Researcher, European Centre for Social Welfare Policy and Research Vienna, Austria

OPHIR KERET

Senior neurologist (hospital), Clalit Health Services, Rabin Medical Center Petah Tikva, Israel

EMI KIYOTA

President and founder, Ibasho Silver Spring, U.S.

Focusing on understanding the effects of demographic aging on health and social policy in Europe, including patterns of use of care among the elderly. Determining the unique features of young onset Alzheimer’s and dementia in diverse and disparate populations of Israel. Creating socially integrated communities that value elders through Ibasho (a not-forprofit organization) and consulting in the design of communities and cities.

ALEX KORNHUBER

Photographer Lima, Peru

LINGANI MBAKILE MAHLANZA

Assistant professor and neuropsychologist, University of Botswana Gaborone, Botswana

SHAMIEL McFARLANE

General practitioner Little London, Jamaica

EIMEAR McGLINCHEY

Assistant professor in intellectual disability, Trinity College Dublin Dublin, Ireland

Writing books and creating exhibits on the modernist movement in Lima, Pisco, as an element of Peruvian identity and what it is to be Peruvian. Leading efforts to improve dementia diagnosis by translating, culturally adapting and validating tablet-based and paper-based cognitive and functional assessments for the Botswana population. Developing a home-based primary care program for cognitively impaired, isolated older adults in rural Jamaica. Including people with Down syndrome in all aspects of dementia research.

MAIRA OKADA DE OLIVEIRA

Neuropsychologist, Hospital Santa Marcelina - Neurology Alta Diagnóstico ReDLat Project São Paulo, Brazil

STEFANIE PIÑA-ESCUDERO

Associate specialist, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) San Francisco, U.S.

MARITZA PINTADO-CAIPA

Attending physician, Research Unit of the Department of Neurology, Peruvian Institute of Neurosciences Lince, Peru

KIRTI RANCHOD

Neurologist Johannesburg, South Africa

Developing strategies to evaluate cognition in populations with low levels of education. Working on developing screening tools to identify cognitive decline in individuals with low levels of schooling. Establishing best practice for prevention, diagnosis and treatment of dementia, supported by the development of an international, multidisciplinary network. Addressing the fact that many diseases like dementia are ignored by society and the authorities, and the lack of epidemiological data on dementia in Peru. Making brain health practical and relevant. Promoting an understanding of traditional and cultural practices which promote brain health.

ROWENA RICHIE

Dance theater artist and movement educator San Francisco, U.S.

LORNA ROE

Research assistant professor, Trinity College Dublin Dublin, Ireland

MOHAMED SALAMA

Associate professor, The American University in Cairo New Cairo, Egypt

JORGE MARIO LEON SALAS

Neuro-psychiatrist, Hospital Clinica Biblica San Jose, Costa Rica

Promoting positive aging through movement-based, creative engagement with elders in various settings. Investigating how older people with complex needs access health care and the implications for designing an integrated health care system. Leading the Egyptian Longitudinal Study of Aging to try to reshape the current understanding of aging. Developing mental health strategies for successful aging and leading efforts to understand and optimize treatments for people living with dementia.

DANA WALRATH

Writer, artist and anthropologist South Burlington, U.S.

FIONA WALSH

Principal architect, D.D.S. Architects Ltd. Great Shefford, United Kingdom

GREG WALSH

Managing director, D.D.S. Architects Ltd. Great Shefford, United Kingdom

CINDY WEINSTEIN

Eli and Edythe Broad Professor of English, California Institute of Technology Pasadena, U.S.

Practicing a blend of creative writing, comics, art and anthropology, and believing in the power of the arts for social change. Offering ways to heal from and end global challenges of dehumanization, dementia, racism and genocide. Designing inclusive environments to support the health and well-being of people with dementia. Translating research and inclusive building design principles into everyday use to ensure they are accessible to people living with cognitive and/or sensory impairments. Recently published “Finding the Right Words: A Story of Literature, Grief, and the Brain,” written with Dr. Bruce Miller, based on her experience of coming to terms with her father’s diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer’s disease.

WILBY WILLIAMSON

Physician and clinical academic in cardiovascular prevention and brain health Nottingham, United Kingdom

MERON ABEY

Theater artist, owner of theater production company Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

OLAKUNLE ADEWALE

Founder and executive director, Arts in Medicine Projects Lagos, Nigeria

EMILY ADRION

Lecturer (assistant professor) of global health policy, University of Edinburgh Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Working to treat patients presenting for management of hypertension and primary prevention of heart disease and stroke. Exploring how arts-based intervention could strengthen health care, social equity and brain health; and establishing the arts in a brain health center for research and training in Ethiopia. Facilitating arts in health engagements in Africa and United States. Raising awareness of dementia and trying to reduce the stigmatization often faced by those with cognitive disabilities. Improving understanding of the impact of health and social care system design on patterns of care and spending for those with dementia and their families/ caregivers. Aiming to reduce the devastating financial toll of dementia.

FERNANDO AGUZZOLI-PERES

Writer and dementia advocate, Vovó Nilva Porto Alegre, Brazil

ARIANNA ALMIRALL SÁNCHEZ

Sphere Scholar, School of Public Health, Trinity College Dublin Dublin, Ireland

AYA ASHOUR

Lecturer and consultant of neurology, Ain Shams University Fifth Settlement, Egypt

Exploring positive ways to communicate dementia with empathy and compassion in different settings, from books to social networks, to connect different generations. Researching the relationship between cognitive reserve and cognitive decline by analyzing population data from high-, middle- and low-income countries to identify mid-life risk factors for dementias. Developing a training program for caregivers. Improving the lives of people living with cognitive impairment by providing the best clinical settings and maximizing the research outcomes to patients with dementia in Egypt.

ANNE BROWNING

Assistant dean for well-being, University of Washington Seattle, U.S.

ANNA BRUGULAT-SERRAT

Neuropsychologist and postdoctoral researcher, BarcelonaBeta Brain Research Center Barcelona, Spain

SHEILA CASTRO-SUAREZ

Neurologist, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Neurológicas Lima, Peru

YAOHUA CHEN

Senior physician; associate professor, CHU Lille - University of Lille Lille, France

Promoting resilience, brain health and well-being for health care teams. Developing support for people engaging in equity work, expanding practices and competencies for distress tolerance. Developing strategies to increase the understanding of how risk factors render the sex-specific brain vulnerability to Alzheimer’s disease pathophysiology. Developing personalized prevention programs. Leading the running of a behavioral neurology clinic in Peru. Creating a network in frontotemporal dementia and exploring difficulties relating to diagnosis. Researching cognitive screening tests and the genetics of dementia. Developing collaborations between pre-clinical and clinical work, and neurology and geriatrics. Leading a translational work of a murine model and a cohort of patients with Alzheimer’s disease.

SARAH D’ALESSIO

Policy analyst, Ministry of Health, Government of Bermuda Bermuda

NAIARA DEMNITZ

Postdoctoral researcher, Danish Research Centre for Magnetic Resonance Copenhagen, Denmark

KARIN DIAMOND

Artistic director, Re-Live Cardiff, United Kingdom

CLARA DOMINGUEZ VIVERO

Neurologist, Servicio Galego de Saúde Santiago de Compostela, Spain

Developing and strengthening long-term care and social care systems and practices, so they become more equitable through inclusion and by enhancing the quality of life for people with cognitive impairment. Examining the role of lifestyle factors on the aging brain, with the aim of developing targeted lifestyle interventions that promote healthy brain aging. Exploring the health and well-being benefits of participating in arts in health practice for people living with dementia and their families. Working as a clinician with an interest in dementia and behavioral neurology. Aiming to improve communication between clinicians and patients, and increase patient access to non-pharmacological care and support.

NEUS FALGÀS MARTINEZ

Postdoctoral fellow, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Barcelona, Spain

Developing strategies to improve Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis and its biomarkers, specifically regarding sleepwake alterations.

ADIT FRIEDBERG

Research fellow, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) San Francisco, U.S.

Unraveling the neural mechanisms that underlie the emergence of visual artistic creativity in frontotemporal dementia.

JONI GILISSEN

Postdoctoral researcher, Vrije Universiteit Brussel Mechelen, Belgium

JENNIE GUBNER

Assistant professor of ethnomusicology; chair, Applied Intercultural Arts Research, Graduate Interdisciplinary Program, University of Arizona Tucson, U.S.

Engaging in mixed-methods research and development of interventions to address care needs and improve the quality of life throughout the care trajectory of older adults. Promoting models of healthy aging and dementia education through music, filmmaking and service-learning. Building bridges between ethnomusicology and the health sciences.

MAËLENN GUERCHET

Researcher, French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD) Limoges, France

LAUREN HUNT

Assistant professor of nursing, Department of Physiological Nursing, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) San Francisco, U.S.

IGNACIO ILLÁN GALA

Neurologist, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau Barcelona, Spain

WAMBUI KARANJA

Research assistant, Alzheimer’s & Dementia Organisation Kenya (ADOK) Nairobi, Kenya

Developing new aging and brain health research in sub-Saharan Africa to better understand the burden of dementia and raise awareness. Encouraging initiatives to support caregivers and train health care professionals. Evaluating existing and developing new models of hospice and palliative care for older adults with dementia and their caregivers. Researching and leading a multidisciplinary clinic to improve the diagnosis and clinical care of people living with frontotemporal dementia and their families. Leading efforts to increase understanding of brain health among health care workers and the general population in Kenya, with a focus on agerelated, neurodegenerative disorders.

IRINA KINCHIN

Health economist, Trinity College Dublin Dublin, Ireland

Measuring outcomes and evaluating interventions for people with complex needs and their families.

BEATRIZ MARCELA MAR MEZA

University professor, Peruvian Institute of Neuroscience; geriatric medicine specialist, Air Force Central Hospital Lima, Peru

Developing a comprehensive care program for the management of patients with cognitive disorders and caregiver support; and geriatric services to optimize care of chronic diseases, such as dementia, affecting the Peruvian elderly.

CHEYENNE MIZE

Music therapist and owner, Wishing Well Music LLC Louisville, U.S.

SEBASTIAN MOGUILNER

Neuroscientist, FUESMEN - Fundación Escuela Medicina Nuclear Mendoza, Argentina

Using music for individual and community aims, with a particular interest in equitable access to creative wellness opportunities for people of all ages and levels of ability or experience. Researching new neuroimaging biomarkers of neurodegeneration and the artificial intelligence-assisted diagnosis of dementia.

DIDEM ÖZ

Associate neurologist, Dokuz Eylül University Izmir, Turkey

IEVA PETKUTĖ

Creative director, Socialiniai meno projektai; lead, Association “Dementia Lithuania” Vilnius, Lithuania

SILVIA RODRIGO-HERRERO

Neurologist, Hospital Juan Ramon Jimenez Huelva, Spain

NICOLE ROGERS CASTILLO

Neurologist, Universidad de Chile Santiago, Chile

Developing an electroencephalography model to monitor the electrical activity of the brain for diagnosis and differentiation of dementia, and investigating clinicopathological correlation. Developing cross-disciplinary partnerships, striving to be a part of purpose-driven arts projects that vocalize and educate about inclusion, health and well-being. Researching early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease in patients around the region of Andalusia (Spain), especially in patients with a low educational level. Developing non-pharmacological interventions and introducing technology-based tools that may be integrated into current health programs for older adults and patients with dementia.

SANJIB SAHA

Assistant researcher, Health Economics, Lund University Lund, Sweden

JONATHAN ADRIÁN ZEGARRA VALDIVIA

Ph.D. student, Cajal Institute C.S.I.C. Madrid, Spain

FUNMI AKINDEJOYE

Program manager, Gabi Williams Alzheimer’s Foundation Eti Osa, Nigeria

FAHEEM ARSHAD

Cognitive neurologist Bengaluru, India

Conducting research on the health care utilization of people living with dementia and their caregivers, primarily in Sweden. Estimating the cost-effectiveness of different interventions in clinical settings. Working to identify biomarkers for early detection of mild cognitive impairment and dementia. Promoting Alzheimer’s disease awareness, supporting existing dementia care, and researching the epidemiology and environmental risk factors of brain health. Working to understand the pathophysiological and structural underpinnings of frontotemporal dementia.

DVERA SAXTON

Assistant professor, Department of Anthropology, California State University, Fresno; affiliated researcher, California Institute of Rural Studies Fresno, U.S.

Developing communitybased approaches to research design, problem solving, and creative teaching and learning around aging and brain health in rural and immigrant communities in California.

PETRONILLA BATTISTA

Neuropsychologist, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri I.R.C.C.S. Santeramo in Colle, Italy

Researching and treating cognitive, language and communication disorders in patients with primary progressive aphasia (PPA).

CARLOS CHECHETTI

Researcher and project developer, São Paulo University São Paulo, Brazil

MARIUS ČIURLIONIS

Head of Nursing, Social Care and Palliative Medicine Clinic, “Centro poliklinika” Outpatient Clinic Vilnius, Lithuania

Developing a social program that uses passion — such as sport, music, movie, poetry, and art — as cognitive stimulation to increase socialization to improve the quality of life for older adults and people with Alzheimer’s disease and mild cognitive impairment. Advising long-term care coordination and implementation at the Ministry of Health of The Republic of Lithuania.

FRANCESCA FARINA

Postdoctoral research fellow, Trinity College Dublin Dublin, Ireland

SARAH FOX

Patient and public involvement and engagement officer, Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust Bury, United Kingdom

ADOLFO GARCIA

Adjunct researcher, National Scientific and Technical Research Council, Argentina Mar del Plata, Argentina

GRÁINNE HOPE

Artistic director and founder, Kids’ Classics CLG Dunboyne, Ireland

Researching risk factors and early biomarkers of dementia and developing creative engagement initiatives to promote brain health and lifelong well-being. Working with people living with dementia and their friends and families to empower them to play an active role in shaping research and policy. Combining neuroscience and language science to capture early markers of neurodegenerative disorders. Working to improve the experience and quality of life for those living with dementia through music.

MAGDA KACZMARSKA

Dance artist and educator New York City, U.S.

DEARBHLA KELLY

Clinical research fellow and Ph.D. candidate, Centre for the Prevention of Stroke and Dementia, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford Oxford, United Kingdom

Building creative communities for people living with cognitive impairment through the transformative power of dance. Researching the overlap between renal and neurological diseases.

HANAN KHALIL

Associate professor, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences Irbid, Jordan

Working to increase awareness, improve patient care, and improve understanding of mental health through epidemiological and intervention research.

TOMÁS LEÓN

Psychiatrist Santiago, Chile

Researching dementia care, implementation of memory units, dementia teaching, and psychopharmacology in the elderly.

MILTON LOPEZ

Associate professor, Department of Preventive Medicine, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Nicaragua Managua, Nicaragua

Working with prevention, diagnosis, non-pharmacological therapy for Alzheimer’s Disease (Memory Unit) and providing training to caregivers and families.

NAHUEL MAGRATH GUIMET

Managing director, clinical neuropsychiatrist, Memory and Aging Center, Neurological Research Institute Raúl Carrea (FLENI) Buenos Aires, Argentina

Researching frontotemporal dementia diagnosis and education.

LUCIANO MARIANO

Neuropsychologist and researcher, Federal University of Minas Gerais Belo Horizonte, Brazil

Using research to improve diagnosis and to make cognitive-behavioral evaluation simpler and more accurate.

INBAL MAYAN

Geriatric Resident, Clalit Medical Services, Meir Medical Center Kefar Sava, Israel

Practicing and building different models of care, trying to find a balance between giving the patients the best care, reducing hospitalization, and tailoring personal treatment options.

KAREN MEENAN

Social entrepreneur, radio broadcaster and founder of Making Hay Reminiscence Theatre Company Dublin, Ireland

PRIMROSE NYAMAYARO

Program manager, University of Zimbabwe College of Health Sciences Harare, Zimbabwe

OBIORA OKOYE

Clinical consultant, San Francisco Department of Public Health Albany, U.S.

MIGUEL RENTERIA

Human geneticist, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute Calamvale, Australia

Working with people living with dementia and their carers, developing theater and radio broadcasts. In particular, working with people affected with Lewy body disorders and their caregivers to raise awareness of the disease and build community on the island of Ireland. Researching interventions for dementia that are culturally acceptable for use in her home country, Zimbabwe, and establishing how technology can be utilized to carry out these interventions. Working to create a collaboration across subSaharan Africa to ensure the prioritization of brain health in public health. Using genetics and brain imaging methods to understand brain diseases, with a focus on Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease, depression and self-harm.

SUSANNE ROEHR

Postdoctoral fellow, head of research group, University of Leipzig Leipzig, Germany

MOLLIE ROSE

Owner and teacher, Pilates in Common San Francisco, U.S.

NICKY TAYLOR

Theater and dementia specialist; research fellow, Leeds Beckett University and Leeds Playhouse Leeds, United Kingdom

KURIPACHA TITUAÑA VEGA

Geriatric Resident, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador Quito, Ecuador

Using cohort studies and epidemiological methods to identify modifiable risk factors for cognitive decline and dementia as well as their social determinants. Conducting lifestyle interventions to mitigate dementia risk. Working to increase equity in the health care system by exposing a wider population to preventative movement practices. Working toward a more hopeful narrative of dementia by creating opportunities for people living with dementia to be at the heart of the stories we tell. Developing programs that serve older people living with dementia, especially in Indigenous people living in poverty.

MARIA MARTHA UNAUCHO PILALUMBO

Neurologist, Hospital Isidro Ayora Loja, Ecuador

BERENICE WERLE

Geriatrician and director, Moriguchi Institute Porto Alegre, Brazil

LINA ZAPATA

Psychiatrist Cali, Colombia

Improving the lives of people living with dementia through neurological diagnosis and management. Building and spreading the idea of dementia-friendly initiatives, where the care is person-centered and based on the needs of the individual, to promote greater understanding and public awareness. Working to improve brain health care, focusing on dementia prevention, dementia diagnosis, individualized treatments, and genetics research of neurodegenerative diseases in diverse populations.