The Latest Updates in Alzheimer's Disease Research
The Alzheimer's Association Michigan Chapter offers research events that provide up-to-date information on what is currently known about Alzheimer's disease and other dementia and offer insight into where future research may be headed nationally and in Michigan. Researchers hail from Wayne State University in Detroit, the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan State University in East Lansing, the surrounding Lansing area and Grand Rapids, and other esteemed institutions through the state. Current dates are listed below. More are being added, so be sure to check back for a research event near you!
Tuesday, April 23 | 7:30-9:30 a.m.
Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park | Grand Rapids
Featuring Dr. David Morgan
RSVP: Erin Muehlenkamp | 616.301.3230 | E-mail
Wednesday, May 15 | 4:30-6 p.m.
Catalyst Center at Southwest Michigan First | Kalamazoo
Featuring Dr. Florence Johnson
RSVP: Phil Earnshaw | 269.290.6270 | E-mail
Wednesday, May 15 | 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Grand Traverse Resort | Acme
Featuring Dr. Scott Counts
RSVP: Kristen Erby Weber | 231.714.6736 | E-mail
Thursday, May 16 | 10-11:15 a.m.
Alpena Senior Center | Alpena
Featuring Dr. Scott Counts
RSVP: Kristen Erby Weber | 231.714.6726 | E-mail
Featured researchers:
Dr. Scott Counts grew up in Virginia and South Carolina and received his undergraduate degree from Davidson College, concentrating in History and English. After working for several years as a chemist at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, he went on to earn his Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Emory University in 2000, studying under Dr. Allan I. Levey in the Department of Neurology to understand the metabolic regulation of presenilin-1, a key protein involved in familial forms of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). That same year, he joined Dr. Elliott J. Mufson’s lab at Rush University Medical Center as an Instructor of Neurological Sciences, studying cholinergic mechanisms of AD and its prodromal stage, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), as part of Rush’s NIA-funded Training Program in Age-related Neurodegenerative Disorders. Dr. Counts was appointed to an Assistant Professor of Neurological Sciences at Rush in 2003 based on his expertise in using functional genomic technologies to compare and contrast postmortem brain samples from people who died within the clinical spectrum of no cognitive impairment (NCI) to MCI to AD. In 2013, Dr. Counts was recruited to Michigan State University as an Associate Professor of Translational Neuroscience (primary) and Family Medicine (secondary) at the Grand Rapids campus.
Dr. David Morgan is a professor in the 
Department of Translational Neuroscience. He received his training at Northwestern University. His doctoral research at Northwestern University was with Aryeh Routtenberg where they investigated the neurochemistry of memory, resulting in a publication of part of his dissertation in Science. Dr. Morgan has over 200 peer-reviewed publications and his H factor is 57. He has participated in 20 NIH funded research grants totaling over 80 grant-years of research support as Principal investigator or Co-Investigator over the last 25 years. His research program has received $16 million in support from multiple agencies. In addition to his research activities, Morgan has consulted with major pharmaceutical companies and small biotechnology companies regarding the development of therapeutics for Alzheimer's disease. He has also advised capital investment organizations regarding the most promising therapeutic approaches to curing Alzheimer’s disease. Morgan served for 6 years on the Program Committee for the Alzheimer's Association International Conference, the last 3 years as Chairperson.
Dr. Florence Johnson, PhD, RN, MSN, MHA,.jpg "Dr-Johnson-(1).jpg")
CDP is a highly experienced nursing professional who holds many degrees, certificates and licenses. She has worked as an instructor at the collegiate level, as a director of quality and as a consultant. Her work
in research and leadership has received
many honors and awards. She is currently a research fellow in the University of Michigan School of Nursing Department of Health Behavior and Biological Sciences. Her research focuses on the mental health of Black family caregivers of people living with dementia. She is working to inform and help people by normalizing the terminology of caregiving and getting the proper help when it is needed and available.