Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease are the two most common forms of neurodegenerative disease and there are few effective therapeutic treatments, and as of yet, no cure.
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Kelly Stauch, Ph.D. | Katherine Olson, Ph.D. |
The 20th Annual Vada Kinman Oldfield Alzheimer’s Research Fund Award and the 14th Annual Nancy and Ronald Reagan Alzheimer’s Scholarship Fund Award were presented during recent ceremonies.
Kelly Stauch, Ph.D., of Fremont, received the Vada Kinman Oldfield Alzheimer’s Research Fund Award and Katherine Olson, Ph.D., received the Nancy and Ronald Reagan Alzheimer’s Scholarship Fund Award.
Dr. Stauch completed a postdoctoral fellowship in the UNMC Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience that focused on how the function of certain mitochondria is altered during aging and in age-associated neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
“The primary objective of our work is to investigate underlying presynaptic mitochondrial impairment in the context of aging and age-related neurodegeneration. “I hope we can bridge the gap that has been missing in this field.”
Dr. Olson, a postdoctoral research fellow in the Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, from Odebolt, Iowa, is evaluating agents for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
“Our innovative studies are designed to identify new targets for Alzheimer’s disease based on overlapping and unique changes observed with normal brain aging,” Dr. Olson said. “It’s imperative that therapies are developed focusing on combating the cause of neurodegeneration rather than simply alleviating symptoms.”
Congratulations kate, well deserved 👏🏻👏🏻
Very very proud of Dr. Olson!!!