How we support research

Investing in research

The Alzheimer Society Research Program (ASRP)

The ASRP is a collaborative initiative between the provincial Alzheimer Societies, the Alzheimer Society of Canada, partners and our valuable donors. Since it was founded in 1989, the program has awarded over $59 million to researchers, including $6.5 million to 76 research projects in B.C.

Learn more about the current ASRP recipients from B.C. here.

The Ralph Fisher and Alzheimer Society of B.C. Professorship in Alzheimer Disease Research

Established in 2007 through donations from the Ralph Fisher Foundation, Larkspur Foundation, the University of British Columbia and the Alzheimer Society of B.C., the professorship is a leadership position intended to advance research and clinical care and to promote the importance of research into Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.

The current recipient is Dr. Robin Hsiung, Assistant Professor in the Division of Neurology in the Department of Medicine at the University of British Columbia and staff neurologist at the UBC Hospital Clinic for Alzheimer Disease and Related Disorders.

Funding from the professorship has enabled Dr. Hsiung to:

Examine the factors that cause dementia
Explore new techniques to help identify the different types of dementia
Develop tests to detect biomarkers in blood and spinal fluid
Provide leadership on clinical trials that investigate cutting-edge therapies for dementia at various stages

This position was previously held by Dr. Howard Feldman who has contributed to a number of world-class discoveries, organized productive collaborations and provided leadership to the field internationally at the highest levels.

Clinical fellowships in dementia

Fellowships are a valuable tool to help advance the clinical and scholarly skills of a physician who wishes to orient their career in the service of persons with neurocognitive disorders, including dementia. These fellowships provide local physicians with an opportunity to gain experience in the assessment and care of people living with dementia and ultimately help to increase the number of specialists available to diagnose and treat people living with dementia in B.C.

The Alzheimer Society of B.C. Fellow in Clinical Dementia - University of British Columbia

In 2018, Dr. Clark Funnell became the first recipient of this funding for his work with UBC’s neurology team to identify novel biomarkers and generate innovative therapies for dementia.
UBC is currently accepting applications for the succeeding fellow.

The Alzheimer Society of B.C. Clinical Fellowship in Cognitive Health - University of Victoria

To attract and nurture early-career researchers to pursue innovative dementia research right here in British Columbia, the Alzheimer Society of B.C. and the University of Victoria have established the Clinical Fellowship in Cognitive Health.
Dr. Émilie Langis is the first recipient of the Alzheimer Society of B.C. Clinical Fellowship in Cognitive Health.

Partnering with researchers

The Alzheimer Society of B.C. partners with organizations and individuals in the dementia research community to:

Collaborate on research projects
Assist in the knowledge translation of research findings
Co-organize events
Connect people affected by dementia with opportunities to
participate in research
Promote researchers’ work
Encourage and support dementia-friendly research

The Alzheimer Society of B.C. as a knowledge source

People affected by dementia and the general public look to the Society as the local go-to source for knowledge on dementia and current research, both biomedical and quality of life.

We take a leading role in:

Knowledge translation and mobilization by participating in conferences
Collaborating with researchers in an advisory capacity
Conducting internal research to inform best practices
Ensuring that sound evidence-based research informs all of our materials

To learn more about dementia research and how the Society supports research read our publication A Focus on Research. This annual handout contains updates on the newest dementia research, tips on how to become a savvy research consumer and stories from researchers and people who participate in research throughout B.C.

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