Citizen Scientist Awards

2025 Honoree

Nominated by
Banner Alzheimer's Institute
Phoenix, Arizona

Ann found herself diagnosed with early on-set Alzheimer's disease when she was in her late 50s. She and her husband, Russell, searched the internet for information on \"what to expect next\" and much of the literature was focused on an audience aged 70-90. It highlighted assisted living and hospice options, rather than new, or soon-to-be, retirees.

They decided that they would become the people they were looking for and started a YouTube channel about life with early on-set AD. Ann documents her life, what it's like to live with a disease like Alzheimer's, Russell's perspective, how they stay active, and what it's like to participate in a clinical trial.

They share the wins and losses with their online community but remain overwhelmingly positive, leaning on their faith, family, and love for one another.

Ann has no plans to stop participating in research and her mantra \"slow, stop, or reverse\" is what keeps her motivated for the next one.

"We share our journey and are very positive people. It's encouraging going to our research site because they're just as positive and supportive."

2025 Honoree

Nominated by
Barrow Neurological Institute
Phoenix, Arizona

Jim is a retired scientist, with a career in veterinary pathology. After being diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia (LBD) he did not hesitate to get involved. He knows that the more people who volunteer the quicker the world will have treatments and cures for diseases and disorders.

Since being diagnosed, Jim has participated in no less than five clinical trials and has never turned down an opportunity to get involved. Research is a family affair, with his wife, Anne, and their daughter participating in trials related to epilepsy. He has also spoken on a panel at the 2024 Lewy Body Dementia Association and is involved in LBD support groups.

There isn't anything Jim isn't willing to do to move science forward. Besides his participation giving HIM purpose, the Barrow Neurological Institute team says his resilience feed their staff to keep going on the bad days.

"There are no two people alike, so more people need to volunteer. Participating in research has given me purpose and the desire to keep going."

2025 Honoree

Nominated by
Premiere Research Institute
West Palm Beach, Florida

After 30 years together, Brian's husband, Neil, was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. They live a vibrant, active, full life - they wondered how could this be? They spent a few days being shocked and sad, then decided they were going to fight this as much as they could.

Brian started by finding out everything he could about the disease, got a second opinion, and discovered Premiere Research Institute was conducting clinical trials. The desire to participate was, initially, self-focused. Like many, Brian wanted to delay the disease for Neil. As the trial went on, and the more they got to know the team at PRI, the reason for participating became altruistic. They have befriended their research team and know they are helping develop options for the AD community, and increasing their quality of life.

Since they've been involved, Brian has become Neil's advocate. He maintains full-time employment on top of being a caregiver, study partner, yoga teacher, and friend to many.

Brian says the work is hard but worth it because they are one couple of millions who are experiencing the same thing. That is the most gratifying part of their participation.

"We are just one couple who are affected by this out of millions. If the trial isn't a cure but something that will enhance the quality of life of someone living with Alzheimer's, then why not?"

2025 Honoree

Nominated by
Advocate Health Care
Park Ridge, Illinois

Scott has a multi-generational family history of Alzheimer's disease in his family. When one of his children started noticing that he kept repeating questions, Scott's wife, Dawn, told him he needed to go to the doctor. They asked his primary care physician multiple times for a cognitive exam and when they finally received one, the results were what Dawn had expected: a particular form of genetic early on-set Alzheimer's disease.

With a career spent working for Miller-Coors, Scott decided then to make life changes like cutting out alcohol, eating a well-balanced diet, and getting involved in research. They drive 95 miles round-trip to Advocate Health Care to participate in a research trial. He is also involved in the organization Youngtimers, where other people living with early on-set Alzheimer's can find community. In his involvement, he has encouraged other people to volunteer for research.

Participating in research was an easy choice for Scott. He has children and grandchildren he wants to spend time with and help ensure they do not have to worry about developing Alzheimer's.

Scott knows that he may not benefit directly from his participation but he knows he's a part of something bigger than himself and he cannot be more grateful for the team he has surrounding him.

"Don't give up, don't be afraid. We need your help. If people don't step up to get involved in these trials, we're never going to find a cure."

2025 Honoree

Nominated by
K2 Medical Research
Maitland, Florida

Deb Allen has been at the YMCA for decades and is known by many as \"Ms. Deb\". She is a pillar at the Wayne Densch branch, designing programs that are senior-focused like the Alzheimer's 5k Walk with the Forever Young Senior group.

The passion for dementia awareness is what led K2 Medical Research to partner with Deb. Several of the programs she manages center maintaining a healthy lifestyle for older adults, particularly those from the Black and Brown communities as they are 1.5-2x as likely to develop Alzheimer's disease. Deb has integrated GAP's Acti-v8 Your Brain (A8YB) program into her community with pickleball sessions, steel pan music lessons, yoga sessions, healthy food demonstrations, and introduced research be welcoming the K2 team into these events.

The members of the YMCA can now recognize K2 and know they are not there to recruit new trial volunteers, but to strengthen the community like Deb has done. By teaming up, K2, Deb, and the Wayne Densch YMCA have no only made research interesting, but accessible.

"K2 is a resource and every time we reach out it's a step closer to being more educated and understanding about aging. It reminds our community that there are things they can do, that they have a chance."

2025 Honoree

Nominated by
Axiom Brain Health
Tampa, Florida

The Caregiver Sanctuary at Hyde Park United Methodist church started when one of the church members became a caregiver to a family member and was emotional, exhausted, and lonely. They came to the church for guidance and comfort, when it was realized that a large number of their members were caregivers in some capacity.

The Sanctuary meets monthly and has expanded to other areas of health. A lot of what the members would say about their experience and their loved one dealt with their memory, and so Hyde Park connected with Axiom Brain Health. Now, they host health fairs and brain health seminars that provides free memory screenings.

In partnership with Axiom, the Sanctuary is not only a safe place for caregivers but a place where they can learn more about Alzheimer's and what resources are available to the Tampa-community.

"Working with Axiom Brain Health has lowered the level of fear for our members. Receiving a diagnosis is scary but there's empowerment, community, and possibility in a diagnosis."