In celebration of Black History Month, we’d like to recognize African-Americans who are working tirelessly in the field of Alzheimer’s disease research. Specifically, we honor those scientists who are following the path of pioneer Solomon Carter Fuller, M.D. Dr. Fuller, one of the first recorded African-American scientists, worked with Dr. Alois Alzheimer, whose findings led to the identification of Alzheimer’s disease.
Dr. Goldie Byrd is one such scientist who is striving to make a difference in today’s fight against Alzheimer’s. Dr. Byrd serves as professor and chair of North Carolina A&T State University’s Department of Biology and is a member of the North Carolina Science Board. She has spent more than a decade researching the genetics of the disease, particularly among African-Americans, who are twice as likely to have Alzheimer’s as their white counterparts.
Dr. Byrd has made strides in the field by recruiting thousands of African-Americans living with the disease for her research. She fights stigma every day in the hopes of bringing a better understanding of Alzheimer’s to individuals living with the disease, caregivers and policy makers.
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