RACE AGAINST DEMENTIA FELLOW
University of Wollongong
Dr Simon Maksour is a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Wollongong, in the Neurodevelopment and Neurodegeneration lab. His research utilises stem cells from people living with Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases to grow neural cells in a dish to better understand the causes of disease and develop new therapies.
Simon received the Race Against Dementia and Dementia Research Foundation Post-doctoral Fellowship in 2025 for his project targeting the brain’s immune cells to boost the brain’s defences against Alzheimer’s Disease.
SIMON’S RESEARCH
Simon’s research is exploring a new method for treating Alzheimer’s disease by targeting microglia. These cells play a crucial role in removing toxic proteins and maintaining brain health, but when they dysfunction, they can contribute to the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. His project aims to use adeno-associated virus vectors – a genetic delivery system – to send specific instructions to microglia, helping them return to a healthy state. Simon will use brain cell models and mice with human-like Alzheimer’s symptoms to test this new method.
This pioneering approach could pave the way for a revolutionary treatment that enhances brain health and slows the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Additionally, the research may open new avenues for treating other neurodegenerative disorders.
