Phyllis Horton and Abe Leventhal Research Awards

The Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia is committed to supporting research in dementia by offering awards to graduate and undergraduate-level students.

Student Research Awards

The Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia is committed to supporting research in Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, as well as acknowledging the work of people who have chosen to research in this field. As a means of honouring this commitment, we are pleased to offer three awards to students pursuing dementia research in Nova Scotia.

Phyllis Horton was a founding member of the Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia. In 1980, her husband Del was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. She found there was very little information available about the disease, or about caregiving. A contact at the Alzheimer Society in Toronto suggested that a local organization be set up. “I wanted to help other people deal with the same frustration I went through”, she said in a 1988 interview. Mrs. Horton’s family established a bursary in 1995, to support local research. The Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia continues to offer the Phyllis Horton Student Research Award each year in Mrs. Horton’s honour.

Abraham (Abe) Leventhal was a Halifax businessman and quiet philanthropist. Over the years he supported countless causes, including the Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia. When Mr. Leventhal passed away in 2016 his estate provided bequests to eight charities, including ASNS. To honour his wishes, and his passion for research, the Alzheimer Society has established the Abe Leventhal Research Fund. A part of his gift has been designated to fund and maintain the Abe Leventhal Student Research Award, recognizing Mr. Leventhal’s generous custom of supporting students.

Awards Available in 2024:

The Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia will grant these awards to students in Nova Scotia who are actively involved in and interested in further pursuing research in Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias. The research may be in any field related to dementia.