January 25, 2017 Novato/Sonoma, CA Sonoma based AFFIRMATIVhealth, PLLC (http://www.affirmativhealth.com), presenters of RE:mind, a program created to improve brain health for the millions impacted by Alzheimer’s or dementia, today announced the appointment of Brian Kennedy, PhD, as its new Scientific Director.
Dr. Kennedy comes to AFFIRMATIVhealth from the Buck Institute for Research on Aging (Buck), one of the first academic research Institutions focused on understanding the biology of aging and the links to associated chronic diseases such as Alzheimer’s, type II diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. During his six year tenure as CEO of the Buck, Dr. Kennedy oversaw the establishment of the first Ph.D. program in the biology of aging jointly administered with the University of Southern California and pushed research at the Institute toward translation, fostering partnerships with the Pharmaceutical Industry as establishing new spinoff companies targeted toward diseases of aging.
Dr. Kennedy continues to conduct his research at the Buck, studying the pathways that modulate longevity. A major focus of his current research is to study the target of rapamycin (TOR) pathway. TOR generated excitement in the age research field when it was shown recently that the drug rapamycin can extend mouse lifespan. One of the goals of his research is to determine whether pathways like TOR can be regulated to delay aging or treat the diseases of aging in humans.
Dr. Kennedy earned his PhD in Biology at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he took part in groundbreaking studies on aging. He completed postdoctoral training at the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center in Charlestown, Massachusetts. Dr. Kennedy was an associate professor in the biochemistry department at the University of Washington in Seattle when he was appointed president and chief executive officer of the Buck Institute in 2010.
Dr. Kennedy stated, “One of the things I love about the aging field is its constant innovation. Traditional medicine has yet to prove effective when dealing with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia. Ongoing research has shown significant promise and alternative holistic strategies including lifestyle, diet, nutraceuticals and drugs are now available. I look forward to providing thought leadership, developing strategies to further validate the science-based approach and finding ways to extend the RE:mind program by incorporating new advances in the field. Ultimately, I want to contribute to AFFIRMATIVhealth’s goal of improving cognitive function in the aging population.”
Denise Kalos, COO of AFFIRMATIVhealth said, “We are thrilled that Dr. Kennedy saw the incredible importance in the work we are doing and that we have someone on board with his outstanding scientific credentials. We value his expertise in the field of aging and understanding of the science that is the foundation for our work.”
About AFFIRMATIVhealth: AFFIRMATIVhealth is passionate about bringing education, wellness, and hope to those who are affected by Alzheimer’s disease and other cognitive disorders. We seek to bring the latest health-conscious science to those with early stage cognitive decline or genetic predispositions for these disorders. We do this by educating and supporting these individuals, utilizing the most recent scientific knowledge on diet, lifestyle and other key factors for maximizing brain health and fighting the effects of neurodegenerative diseases.