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    Research Events

    Research Events

    As the largest nonprofit funder of Alzheimer's research, the Association is committed to accelerating the global progress of new treatments, preventions and, ultimately, a cure. The Association currently has more than $430 million invested in over 1,110 active projects in 56 countries spanning six continents. In Michigan, the Alzheimer's Association currently is funding 24 active projects totalling $4.6 million.
     

    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.

    2026 Research Events

    The following research events are brought to you by the Alzheimer's Association in partnership with the Michigan Alzheimer's Disease Research Center:

    Tuesday, Feb. 10 | 5-6:15 p.m. | Zoom | Register
    Dr. Hank Paulson

    Tuesday, Feb. 24 | 12-1:15 p.m. | Zoom | Register
    Dr. Judy Heidebrink

    Wednesday, Feb. 25 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Spanish-language | Zoom | Registration link coming soon.\El enlace de registro estará disponible próximamente.

    Stay tuned for other research events coming to following locations in 2026!
    Kalamazoo
    Ann Arbor
    Grand Rapids
    Traverse City
    Alpena
    Detroit
    Midland
    Flint

    Featured researchers


    Dr. Hank Paulson


    Paulson is the Lucile Groff Professor of Neurology in the Department of Neurology at the University of Michigan, where he also serves as Director of the Michigan Alzheimer’s Disease Center. Dr. Paulson received his MD and PhD degrees from Yale University, completed residency and fellowship training at the University of Pennsylvania, and previously taught at the University of Iowa. His research and clinical interests concern the causes and treatment of age-related neurodegenerative diseases, with an emphasis on repeat expansion diseases and age-related dementias.



    Dr. Judy Heidebrink
     

    Heidebrink completed her Neurology residency, Geriatric Neurology fellowship, and M.S. in Clinical Research Design and Statistical Analysis at the University of Michigan. She directs the Neurology Cognitive Disorders Clinic and is co-leader of the Clinical Core of the MADRC. She has been involved in collaborative clinical trials in dementia for more than 20 years, including phase I-III studies focusing on the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s dementia. In addition, she has led the University of Michigan’s participation in the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative since the inception of this longitudinal observational study of brain imaging and other biomarkers in the progression from normal aging to dementia.



    Dr. Irving Vega

    Vega is the Red Cedar Distinguished Associate Professor in the Department of Translational Neuroscience at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. He earned his B.S. in Biology from the University of Puerto Rico–Mayagüez and his Ph.D. in Molecular Biology and Neuroscience from Rutgers University, followed by postdoctoral training at Mayo Clinic Jacksonville. His research focuses on understanding the molecular and biochemical processes that lead to the accumulation of pathological proteins, particularly tau, which drive neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. It also emphasizes community-engaged research to examine contextual and social factors that influence risk and resilience to neurodegenerative diseases across the lifespan.