We support the work of investigators and other professionals in a variety of ways. Please review our various methods of support below, and contact us if you have any questions.
Please be sure to acknowledge the partial support of our funding in all work to which we contribute. Specific acknowledgment information is listed in the Acknowledgement & Logos section below.
We promote clinical research on memory and aging that involves direct use of research volunteers, biomarkers, and other clinical data collected through the University of Michigan Memory and Aging Project. We manage a well-characterized data set to facilitate recruitment for Center-supported projects and publications.
Investigators wishing to utilize the research volunteer database must complete the MADC Resource Application.
More information
Contact Arijit Bhaumik
Phone: 734-936-8281
Email: [email protected]
For preliminary data requests, please complete and submit the MADC Resource Application.
More information
Contact Arijit Bhaumik
Phone: 734-936-8281
Email: [email protected]
The Michigan Brain Bank is designed to support investigations of dementing disorders. The Michigan Brain Bank provides researchers who study Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders with access to well-characterized human brain tissue. To optimize research, the Michigan Brain Bank assists in the collection and storage of brain tissue from individuals who have been followed in research studies at the University of Michigan and other Centers. We are fortunate to have had many generous patients and families participate in this brain donation program. The most useful tissue for research comes from individuals with extensive clinical information, typically from those who have participated in clinical research projects. Tissues stored in the Michigan Brain Bank are extensively characterized by experienced pathologists and available to scientists on request. Michigan Brain Bank tissues have been used by numerous scientists here and at other Centers in the United States.
For investigators wishing to utilize tissues stored in the Michigan Brain Bank, please complete the MADC Resource Application.
More information
Contact Matthew Perkins
Phone: 734-647-7648
Email: [email protected]
Clinical Core
Leads
Benjamin Hampstead, PhD, ABPP/CN, [email protected]
Judith Heidebrink, MD, MS, [email protected]
Manager
Stephen Campbell, LMSW, [email protected]
Resources
ADRC UDS data and Neuropsychological assessment data. ADRC subject pool.
Biomarker Core
Leads
Dave Morgan, PhD, [email protected]
Nicholas Kanaan, PhD, [email protected]
Resources
Blood (or other biological fluid) biomarker assessments via SIMOA immunoassays and/or mass
spectrometry
Data Management and Statistical Core
Lead
Kelly Bakulski, PhD, [email protected]
Manager
Jonathan Reader, MS, [email protected]
Resources
Contact information for study recruitment, data for secondary analyses, and database
design/automation, statistical consultation for grant/manuscript, collaboration for analyses for
grant/manuscript
Neuroimaging Core
Lead
Doug Noll, PhD, [email protected]
Manager
Cynthia Sopko, [email protected]
Resources
Access to neuroimaging data for MADRC cohorts, consulting on the design of imaging components and imaging biomarkers, consulting on image analysis
Neuropathology Core
Lead
Andrew Lieberman, MD, PhD, [email protected]
Manager
Matthew Perkins, BA, [email protected]
https://www.brainbank.umich.edu/
Resources
Fresh frozen and FFPE (on Slides) post-mortem human samples of various Neurodegenerative
diseases. MRotary Microtome of FFPE Tissues, Brain Extraction, and Spinal Cord Extraction
(laminectomy), Blood Sample Processing (Buffy coat, Serum, Plasma, Packed Red Blood Cells).
We can also procure desired tissues from donors with neurodegenerative diseases through our autopsy services.
Outreach, Recruitment and Engagement Core
Lead
Scott Roberts, PhD, [email protected]
Manager
Theresa Gierzynski, LMSW [email protected]
Resources
We can help assist studies actively trying to recruit participants; we can offer speaking
opportunities/feature articles on our website/newsletter to promote the visibility of their work. We also have a research registry available to junior investigators conducting research studies and we can also share information about research studies through our Center newsletters, social media, and email communications. We host an annual Research Symposium and encourage junior investigators to attend and participate in the poster session/oral presentations. We offer various educational materials about dementia, brain health, and helpful resources for patients and families. We encourage junior investigators to follow and interact with our Center/Center Director's X (Twitter) accounts @umichalzheimers and @Henrypaulson5. We are always looking for new faculty to join our group of expert presenters and have speaking opportunities available on an ongoing basis.
Anyone interested can contact Erin Fox at [email protected].
Research Education Component
Leads
Roger Albin, MD, [email protected]
Peter Lichtenberg, PhD, [email protected]
Irving Vega, PhD, [email protected]
Manager
Stephanie Nava, MA, [email protected]
Resources
Mentorship of junior investigators, quarterly case conferences, developmental project funds,
and conference award funds for junior investigators. Dementia for Scientists curriculum.
Learn more in the Faculty Expertise section.
The Michigan Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center was pleased to release the “Dementia for Scientists” online curriculum in September 2018. The curriculum is available to view on YouTube here.
The goal of this curriculum is to provide a broad and current introduction to important aspects of dementias and dementia-related research. The target audience is junior investigators.
Why did we create this curriculum?
Dementia research is highly diverse in content, ranging from basic biophysical research to social science. While investigators entering the field from diverse research backgrounds are well-trained in their discipline, they may lack broader knowledge of the many aspects of dementia and dementia research that are important in understanding critical issues in the field. This curriculum aims to provide a relatively sophisticated introduction to critical aspects of dementias across the broad sweep of the field. The ultimate goal is to enhance the ability of junior investigators to read and understand relevant literature outside their own disciplines.
The curriculum consists of 8 modules, each of which addresses an important area in contemporary dementia research. Each module includes several presentations. The presentations are relatively concise, PowerPoint lectures that can be viewed when convenient.
The modules include the following topics:
We encourage users to view all modules, though many may wish to focus on topics outside their areas of expertise. Modules 1, 2, 5, & 6 might be said to constitute core elements that everyone should know.
We hope you find the curriculum valuable. This is our initial effort and we welcome all comments, criticisms, and suggestions.
Please send all feedback to Stephanie Nava at [email protected].
The REC Junior Investigator Mentorship Program has two aims.
One, providing early career investigators entering the field of dementia research with a broad education about contemporary dementia research.
Two, providing early career investigators with mentoring by experienced investigators in developing competitive grant applications.
We encourage early career investigators from underrepresented groups in STEM to apply. As we seek to understand and cure Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD), the Michigan ADRC considers among its highest priorities to support the career development of junior investigators who are committed to dementia-related research.
This program includes a one-time $25,000 (direct costs) Michigan ADRC REC grant. This REC grant is partially funded by a grant from the NIH/National Institute on Aging with additional funding from the Michigan Alzheimer’s Disease Center. In addition to the $25,000 in direct costs, total indirect costs of $400 will be provided.
This two-year program provides mentees with an individually tailored mentoring committee or experienced investigators to assist mentees with the preparation of competitive grant applications. Mentees will have access to an online curriculum about contemporary dementia research to introduce the basic features of dementias. Mentees will participate in the Career Development Workshop jointly sponsored by the Michigan ADRC and the University of Michigan Pepper Center. This workshop takes place in the spring and includes a Mock Study Section and other career development activities. Mentees will have access to career development support provided by the Michigan Institute for Clinical and Health Research. Mentees receive preferred (not guaranteed) access to Michigan ADRC resources, Developmental Project grant programs, and travel funds, as well as the opportunity to present research at the annual Michigan ADRC Research Symposium and national Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center meetings.
Eligibility
Investigators must be from the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, or Wayne State University and plan to maintain their appointment at one of these institutions throughout the two-year program
Funds are not transferable to another institution outside our 3-university consortium.
Career commitment to some form of dementia-related research
Post-doc fellow (advanced status, usually after the second or third year)
Early career and new investigator status (assistant professor with no R01 or equivalent)
Plan to submit a substantial grant application – career development award, R01 or equivalent, major foundation grant- within the next two years
Use of funds
The award must underwrite activities advancing the mentee’s career.
Examples:
Data analyses
Study personnel support
Acquisition of initial data that is a departure from the applicant’s primary line of research
Method development
Equipment purchase
Imaging or similar services
For senior post-doc fellows: salary support to defray work on a novel project
Other uses, if justified appropriately
Expenses that do not comply with Uniform Guidance (previously A-21) rules are unallowable on the project (e.g., Hosting, Postage, Telephone, General Supplies, Computers, Admin Salaries
The program is a two-year program with the following components:
An online curriculum about contemporary dementia research to introduce mentees to the basic features of dementias.
An individually tailored mentoring committee of experienced investigators to assist mentees with the preparation of competitive grant applications.
Participation in the Career Development Workshop jointly sponsored by the Michigan ADRC and the University of Michigan Pepper Center. This workshop takes place in the spring and includes a Mock Study Section and other career development activities.
Access to Career Development support provided by the Michigan Institute for Clinical and Health Research.
Mentees receive preferred (not guaranteed) access to Michigan ADRC resources, Developmental Project programs, and travel funds to attend a national NIH/NIA Alzheimer’s Disease Center meeting
Presentation of research at the annual Michigan ADRC symposium and opportunities to present research at national Alzheimer Disease Research Center meetings.
Our expectations of mentees in the program
Selecting a mentoring committee and submitting it to REC leadership for approval
Frequent, regular meetings with your designated primary mentor
Mentoring committee meetings every 6 months
Regular progress reports to the REC program
Yearly meeting with REC on-site Co-Leads (Albin-U-M; Vega-MSU; Lichtenberg-WSU)
Annual Presentations at MADRC symposia
Use of Michigan ADRC resources
Several Center faculty were involved in creating the University of Michigan School of Social Work certificate program.
This self-paced certificate is designed for healthcare professionals who deliver or plan to deliver person- and family-centered care to people living with memory loss or dementia, including social workers, nurses, primary care physicians, physical therapists, occupational therapists, health educators, and administrators. Participants will gain clinical knowledge and skills in culturally competent assessment, care planning, and state-of-the-art clinical intervention.
Learn more about the program here.
As we seek to understand and cure Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, we consider it among our highest priorities to support innovative, high-impact research. Our Center’s Development Project Program provides $50,000 in direct costs and is open to investigators at the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, Wayne State University, and the Ann Arbor VA.
Developmental projects should emphasize one or more of the following
Center’s thematic focus on non-amyloid factors contributing to neuronal dysfunction and degeneration in dementia
Leveraging of resources available through the MADRC and its cores, and/or co-enrollment of participants in the MADRC’s longitudinal cohort
Utilization of databases available through the MADRC:
- The Michigan Brain Bank via the Neuropathology Core
- Longitudinal cohort data via the Clinical
- Data Cores and the National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center (NACC)
- The Alzheimer’s Diseases Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI)
- National Centralized Repository for Alzheimer’s Disease (NCRAD)
- Laboratory of Neuro Imaging (LONI)Mechanisms of neurodegenerative dementias
Novel methods of detecting or treating cognitive changes in age-related diseases
Emphasis on studying cognition and challenges to diagnosing and treating age-related dementia in underrepresented minorities
Frailty and cognitive changes due to aging in older adults
Health disparities in underrepresented populations and ADRD
Impact of COVID-19 on older adults with ADRD
Caregiver burden and stress in ADRD
The program is partially supported by the NIH/NIA-funded Michigan Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center grant (P30 AG072931). Our Center, the U-M Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center, and other U-M Aging Centers will consider joint funding for a promising application addressing research issues shared by the Centers.
The Michigan Alzheimer’s Disease Center is committed to promoting the advancement of dementia research skills in junior faculty through the provision of training resources. Established with the generous support of the Chawla family, the Isadore & Margaret Mezey Award will pay for conference expenses for junior investigators associated with their participation in national or international conferences focusing on the latest discoveries in neurodegenerative research and clinical practices. Awardees have a keen interest in advancing their careers in the dementia field and use the award for participation in annual meetings associated with major brain-related associations or societies.
Call for applications to the Isadore & Margaret Mezey Conference Awards takes place once per year.
Please remember to acknowledge partial support from NIH/NIA grant P30AG053760 and P30AG072931 in your publications, presentations, websites, posters, and other dissemination efforts that are related to our Center’s research, development and training activities. Also, please include an approved center logo.
Text must read
This was partially supported by the NIH/NIA funded Michigan Alzheimer’s Disease Center (P30AG053760 and P30AG072931).
Logos
For approved logos to use in posters and presentations, please contact Erin Fox at [email protected].
Annually, our Center hosts a research symposium focused on the non-amyloid contributions to neurodegeneration. The symposium rotates locations across our three sites: Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids, and Detroit. There are opportunities at the event to present a poster.
These professional conferences take place four times annually for junior faculty and post-doctoral students in the fields of neurology, psychiatry, aging and geriatrics, and nursing. The conference demonstrates the relationship between clinical presentation and underlying disease pathology to inform future diagnostic procedures as they relate to dementia. CE and CME credit for physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants is available, as well as APA credit for psychologists.
