Could. 26, 2022
Biomarker investigate expected to deliver perception into Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative problems
The UNLV Basis is honored to identify the generosity of Ted and Maria Quirk, who not too long ago established an endowment to build the Pam Quirk Mind Overall health and Biomarker Laboratory (Quirk BBL) inside the Section of Mind Health and fitness in the UNLV Faculty of Built-in Health and fitness Sciences. The present was designed in memory of Ted’s sister, Pam, who tragically succumbed to Alzheimer’s sickness final December.
The Quirk BBL, co-directed by Jeffrey Cummings MD, ScD, and Jefferson Kinney, Ph.D., is devoted to the banking, measurement, and discovery of biomarkers (this kind of as blood exams) indicative of mind disease. Biomarkers supply perception into the biology of brain sickness and supply an critical foundation for diagnosing and dealing with Alzheimer’s sickness and other neurodegenerative problems.
“My sister was the most generous particular person I’ve at any time acknowledged, and I desired to do a thing meaningful in her memory,” shares Ted. “Jeff Cummings is a globe-renowned leader in Alzheimer’s disorder investigation. We are thrilled to aid the incredibly crucial get the job done that he, Dr. Kinney, and their Brain Overall health group are undertaking at UNLV.”
UNLV Vice President of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement and UNLV Foundation President Rickey N. McCurry states that “laboratories throughout UNLV are partaking in lifestyle-shifting investigation, and when donors like the Quirks assistance their do the job, it allows these groups to transfer additional quickly to developments that make the lives of individuals in just our local community, and the earth, much better.”
The mind health team will use the laboratory to advance exploration into biomarkers for Alzheimer’s Illness and other neurodegenerative diseases, accelerate remedies for these devastating problems, and assistance tens of millions of patients and their households. “This fantastic gift will enable the improvements in Alzheimer’s Disorder to keep on at a high pitch. We are so grateful for the generosity of Mr. and Mrs. Quirk,” indicated Dr. Ronald Brown, Dean of the School of Built-in Well being Sciences.
“The Quirk BBL is poised to make important advancements in brain well being,” clarifies Dr. Cummings, the Analysis Professor and Director of the Chambers-Grundy Centre for Transformative Neuroscience. “Thanks to the generosity of the Quirks, we are just one stage closer to translating novel biomarker discoveries produced in our lab into improved prognosis and treatment of Alzheimer’s illness and other neurodegenerative ailments.”
About the UNLV Foundation
Founded in 1981, the UNLV Foundation’s most important purpose is to help UNLV as an institution committed to slicing-edge study, diversity, fairness, inclusion and belonging, and tutorial accomplishment. The mission of the UNLV Basis is to raise philanthropic support for the University, increase its endowment for lengthy-time period money steadiness, and greatly enhance the potential advancement of UNLV. For additional info about the UNLV Basis, be sure to stop by www.unlv.edu/philanthropy. 
