Presenter Bios 2007

Gordon J. Chelune, PhD, ABPP(CN)

Dr. Chelune is a Professor of Neurology at the University of Utah School of Medicine and the Senior Neuropsychologist at the University’s Center for Alzheimer’s Care, Imaging and Research (CACIR). Dr. Chelune’s research has focused on methods to discern changes caused by disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease from those that occur with normal aging. Dr. Chelune has pioneered ways to assess cognitive changes in patients after epilepsy surgery, cardiopulmonary bypass surgery, anesthesia and drug interventions.

Norman L. Foster, MD

Dr. Foster is a Professor of Neurology at the University of Utah School of Medicine. In 2005, he helped found the University’s new Center for Alzheimer’s Care, Imaging and Research (CACIR), the first academic clinic in the Intermountain West solely devoted to the care of Alzheimer’s and related disorders. The Center uses PET imaging to better understand the mechanisms that cause different forms of Alzheimer’s. Dr. Foster’s approach illuminates how specific brain regions differ among patients who exhibit varied behaviors.

Virginia M.-Y. Lee, PhD

Dr. Lee is a John H. Ware Professor in Alzheimer’s Research at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. She also serves as Director of the University’s Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research and Co-Director of the Marian S. Ware Alzheimer Drug Discovery Program. Dr. Lee’s research focuses on the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, frontotemporal dementias and related neurodegenerative disorders.

Daniel Press, MD

Dr. Press is an Assistant Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School and a Staff Neurologist at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. His research focuses on the cognitive aspects of Parkinson's disease and the neural basis of skill learning. He uses behavioral testing, functional MRI, perfusion MRI and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in his research. In addition to his work on neurodegenerative disorders, he is the Clinical Director of the Berenson-Allen Center for Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation.

Carol Taylor, MSW

Carol Taylor is a geriatric social worker. She is Chair of the Board for A Better Way Coalition, a nationally recognized organization promoting compassionate end-of-life care. She also served on the Idaho Commission on Aging. She brings 30 years of experience as a noted trainer, facilitator and educator to health care professionals and family caregivers.

John Trojanowski, MD, PhD

Dr. Trojanowski is a Professor in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. He serves as Director of the University’s Alzheimer’s Disease Core Center, Director of the Institute on Aging, Co-Director of the Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research, and Co-Director of the Marian S. Ware Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Program. Dr. Trojanowski’s research centers on Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, motor neuron disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, frontotemporal dementia and related disorders.

Martha Stearn, MD

Dr. Stearn is an internist in private practice in Jackson, WY since 1984. She has a special interest in cognitive disorders.