Alumni

“IMPACT-AD, to me, was about laying the groundwork for Alzheimer’s Disease networking – feeling connected to young investigators and thought leaders in the field. It makes all the difference to feel that you are a part of a collective of like-minded individuals. Deciding to be an active and involved member of IMPACT-AD has huge advantages”.

Marc Weinberg, MD, PhD
Massachusetts General Hospital, Fellowship Track, Class of 2021

“IMPACT-AD is a fantastic way to gain knowledge and network with people passionate about ADRD and science. Any person that participates in IMPACT-AD will come out from the course with a new vigor and determination to want to do more”.

Angelica Garcia, BS
Barrow Neurological Institute – St. Joseph’s Medical Center, Professionals Track, Class of 2022

“IMPACT-AD provided critical elements for my career: it gave me needed information on trial design and the current state of the field; it gave phenomenal networking opportunities; and gave me the focused time to spend several days thinking about and getting feedback on research ideas formally and informally.”

Jared Benge, PhD, ABPP
The University of Texas at Austin, Professionals Track, Class of 2022

“IMPACT-AD has been invaluable in trying to organize a collaborative proposal for a large trial in development. The first version of [my] proposal was born during the course initially. Discussing it with AD researchers and peers with similar interests […] allowed for collaboration [that] I do not think would have happened without the course. IMPACT-AD demystifies some aspects of research that may be unknown or unclear for early-stage investigators. Hearing from people at NIA and meeting them in person really facilitated this. Lastly, the course is really fun and you’ll meet some great people.”

Jeremy Pruzin, MD
Banner Alzheimer’s Institute, Fellowship Track, Class of 2021

“IMPACT-AD was an amazing week in San Diego! I learned so much from experts across the ADRD field and met a wonderful group of peers with a variety of research programs.”

Claire Shaw, RN, PhD
The University of Iowa, Fellowship Track, Class of 2022

“It has helped me improve my knowledge, specifically in research methodology. I learned so much about the current state of the science on treatment and prevention of dementia and its symptoms. Faculty’s feedback on my study proposal was invaluable. It was an amazing experience and I cannot recommend it any stronger!”

Mariya Kovaleva, RN, PhD, AGPCNP-BC
University of Nebraska Medical Center, Fellowship Track, Class of 2022

“It has provided insight into clinical trial relevant questions to be asked when designing research projects. It is an exquisitely run course with wealth of knowledge and opportunity to connect with the national leaders in the field.”

S. Ahmad Sajjadi, MD, PhD
University of California, Irvine, Fellowship Track, Class of 2022

“IMPACT-AD was a phenomenal experience. Attending the course allowed me to network with like-minded individuals and connect with senior leaders in the clinical trials for AD space that I otherwise would have not had an opportunity to meet. And the in-person setting where it takes place is gorgeous.”

Darina Petrovsky, PhD, RN
University of Pennsylvania, Fellowship Track, Class of 2022

“IMPACT-AD helped me develop my professional network by connecting me with clinical trialists in the AD field at various experience levels, and formed a solid foundation of knowledge of AD trials on which to build my specialized interest in trials focusing on ADRD. IMPACT-AD should be the sine qua non of all clinical trial training programs in the field going forward.”

Lawren Vandevrede, MD, PhD
University of California, San Francisco, Fellowship Track, Class of 2021

“Communication and connection with ACTC faculty have been phenomenal. I have a K23 under review with an addition of an ACTC faculty as mentor specifically following connections related to IMPACT-AD.”

Elizabeth Rhodus, PhD
University of Kentucky, Fellowship Track Class of 2020

“I am relatively new to cognition research. The IMPACT-AD course was fantastic as it gave me foundational knowledge from the best experts in the field. I wish it was in person but even with zoom it was very helpful. I don’t know any other course that does a better job to stay connected with alumni.”

Ambar Kulshreshtha, MD, PhD
Emory University, Fellowship Track Class of 2020

“Remembering the concepts that we learned about clinical trial design are front and center as I continue to apply for funding. I just applied as a Co-I for a randomized controlled trial on community-based exercise in older African Americans and how genetics may moderate the neuroprotective effects of these exercise programs.”

Bernadette Fausto, PhD
Rutgers University-Newark, Fellowship Track Class of 2020

“During the course I took extensive notes from experts on what they seemed to be the most critical gaps in the field and current research addressing those gaps. Along with these insights the panel on grant reviews helped redirect my specific aims and strengthen the overall impact of my grant. My grant went from not discussed to awarded. IMPACT-AD contributed to that major turn around.”

Andrew Hooyman, PhD
Arizona State University, Fellowship Track Class of 2020

“I have become more familiar and comfortable with ongoing clinical trials at the Yale Alzheimer’s disease Research Unit, and excited/hopeful to take on a larger and more supervisory role in these trials secondary to this confidence. Direct involvement in clinical trials in AD will be a central part of my further career development.”

Ryan O’Dell, MD, PhD
Yale School of Medicine, Professionals Track Class of 2020