Race Against Dementia – now officially a Formula 1® charity partner – is gearing up for the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne. Our team will be at the circuit’s Formula 1 Paddock Club®, where guests can discover how our founder, Sir Jackie Stewart OBE, is mixing the worlds of elite motorsport and medical research to help find a cure for dementia – faster.
Race Against Dementia and Dementia Australia Research Foundation (DARF) joined forces to support early career researchers who specialise in prevention or treatment of the disease, which today affects more than 55 million people worldwide.
The three-year RAD DARF Fellowship programme provides research funding plus growth and development opportunities inspired by high-performance Formula 1 training.
Currently there are three Race Against Dementia DARF Fellows:
- Dr Adekunle Bademosi (University of Queensland) is researching the mechanisms that underpin the onset of neurodegenerative disorders, particularly frontotemporal dementia.
- Dr Andrew McKinnon (University of Sydney) is investigating the link between sleep-awake disturbances, brain changes, dementia risk factors, and the accumulation of dementia pathology.
- Dr Karissa Barthelson (Flinders University) is studying whether Alzheimer’s disease and Sanfilippo syndrome childhood dementia share a common pathological basis – and the feasibility of targeting both conditions with similar treatment strategies. Karissa uses zebrafish as a model organism to understand early changes that underlie Alzheimer’s disease.
Race Against Dementia and DARF support is crucial as these pioneering researchers progress their vital work.
Bridget Barker, CEO of Race Against Dementia:
“Exploring the intricacies of dementia is a bit like navigating the twists and turns of a racetrack – both require precision, agility, and constant innovation to stay ahead. Karissa, Adekunle and Andrew have the necessary skill, imagination and determination to do just that.”
Dr Adekunle Bademosi:
“This Fellowship provides me with the unique platform to work with great minds in the field of dementia. My vision for overcoming dementia will only be achieved through collaboration and teamwork – much like how Formula 1 has advanced over the years.”
Want to join our race against dementia? Follow this link to donate and get involved. Thank you for your support.
