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A UK-based charity specialising in finding preventions, treatments and a cure for dementia, Alzheimer’s Research UK has announced Dr Susan Kohlhaas as the charity’s new Director of Research.

Nearly one million people in the UK are living with dementia, a progressive condition for which there is currently no cure. But with potential new treatments on the horizon and a committed approach to tackle the diseases that cause the condition earlier, there is renewed hope for those living with dementia.

Dr Kohlhaas will be responsible for developing Alzheimer’s Research UK’s research strategy to help bring about a life-changing dementia treatment in the next five years.

She joins Alzheimer’s Research UK with over a decade of experience in medical research charities. In her most recent role as Executive Director of Research and External Affairs at the MS Society, she successfully designed and implemented the research strategy attached to the charity’s £100m Stop MS Appeal and led its work on a number of UK-based and international partnerships.

On starting her new role, Dr Kohlhaas said: “I’m excited to join the UK’s leading dementia research charity and help make possible the breakthroughs people living with dementia desperately need.

“I’ve long admired the charity for its world class research programme, amazing partnerships and unrelenting focus on making progress for people with dementia. But also, like so many others, I have been personally affected by dementia and have seen the devastating impact it can have on families.

“There’s a fantastic research community committed to finding treatments and prevention strategies for people with dementia and I’m thrilled to be in a position to help drive progress.  I’m feeling very optimistic about the future.”

Dr Kohlhaas will form part of Alzheimer’s Research UK’s senior team, working with the Board of Trustees and research team to shape its strategy with the right input from the dementia research community and those affected by dementia.

This work will ensure the charity’s world-leading research is of the highest quality to maximise its impact for those affected by dementia.

In an ever-more difficult world for fundraising and medical research charities, partnership opportunities will also be at the top of Dr Kohlhaas’ agenda.

Ian Wilson, Chief Executive of Alzheimer’s Research UK, added: “We are excited to welcome Dr Kohlhaas to the team as Alzheimer’s Research UK’s new Director of Research. The COVID-19 pandemic has put medical research charities like Alzheimer’s Research UK under significant strain, but with Susan’s experience and our incredible supporters by our side, we are in a good position to maintain the momentum we built under the leadership of our previous Director of Research, Dr Carol Routledge.

“All of us at Alzheimer’s Research UK are determined to continue this groundbreaking work, and to ensure our research programme has the greatest possible impact on the lives of people living with dementia.”

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