Zaven Khachaturian Award Presented to William E. Klunk, M.D., Ph.D. at Alzheimer’s Association International Conference® 2017

LONDON, July 17, 2017 — The Alzheimer’s Association recognizes William E. Klunk, M.D., Ph.D., with the 2017 Zaven Khachaturian Award. The award was presented during the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference® 2017 (AAIC® 2017) in London.

Named in honor of noted scientist, administrator, consultant, lecturer and author, Zaven Khachaturian, Ph.D., this award recognizes an individual whose compelling vision, selfless dedication, and extraordinary achievement has significantly advanced the field of Alzheimer science.

Dr. Klunk is recognized for his many contributions to Alzheimer’s research, including his influential work in regard to amyloid imaging. His group’s initial work on amyloid imaging in humans was cited in Discover Magazine’s “100 Top Science Stories of 2002,” and their benchmark 2004 paper in amyloid imaging was awarded the “Best Neuroimaging Paper from 2002-2004” by the Alzheimer’s Association and was cited by Nature Medicine as #1 among “key papers in the field” of Alzheimer’s disease research from 2003-2006. It remains the most frequently cited research article in the field of Alzheimer’s disease neuroimaging since its publication in 2004.

“Dr. Klunk's contributions to Alzheimer's disease research have changed not only how we understand the disease today, but have been the harbinger of an era of prevention of Alzheimer's based on this knowledge. He is a most deserving recipient of the Zaven Khachaturian Award,” said Maria C. Carrillo, Ph.D., chief science officer for the Alzheimer’s Association. “His work enabling amyloid imaging in the human brain has been transformational for the field of Alzheimer’s research. He is a tireless and dedicated researcher who is advancing our understanding of Alzheimer’s at the earliest stages.”

Dr. Klunk has published more than 200 journal articles, and is principal investigator of several NIH and foundation grants. He has won numerous awards including: a MERIT Award (National Institute on Aging 2004), the 2007 University of Pittsburgh Chancellor’s Distinguished Research Award, the 2004 MetLife Foundation Award, the 2008 Potamkin Prize and the 2009 Ronald and Nancy Reagan Research Institute Awards for research in Alzheimer’s disease.

Dr. Klunk is a Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry and Neurology and the Levidow-Pittsburgh Foundation Chair in Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Disorders at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in Pittsburgh, PA. He is also the Co-Director of the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center at the University of Pittsburgh, and the director of the Laboratory of Molecular Neuropharmacology at Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic. He served on the Medical and Scientific Advisory Council of the Alzheimer’s Association from 2005 to the present where he is immediate Past Chair of the MSAC.

About AAIC
The Alzheimer’s Association International Conference® 2017 (AAIC®) is the largest international meeting dedicated to advancing dementia science. Each year, AAIC unites the world’s leading researchers, next generation investigators, clinicians and the care research community to share discoveries in basic and translational research that will lead to methods of prevention and treatment, and improvements in diagnosis for Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.
AAIC 2017 home page: aaic.alz.org/
AAIC 2017 newsroom: aaic.alz.org/pressroom.asp

Media Contacts: 
Alzheimer's Association AAIC newsroom, +44 (0) 20-7069-6000, media@alz.org
Mike Campea, Alzheimer’s Association, 312-978-4372, mcampea@alz.org