About

The Energy Behind Metabolism

Join UCI MIND, Alzheimer’s Orange County, and Alzheimer’s Association for the 37th Annual Southern California Alzheimer’s Disease Research Conference. Alzheimer’s disease is one of the most complex challenges in modern medicine, and its causes remain an active area of investigation. Alongside genetics, aging, and other well-established risk factors, a growing body of research suggests that metabolic health may be meaningfully related to how Alzheimer’s disease develops and progresses. While much is still unknown, these emerging connections offer intriguing new avenues for exploration.

This conference provides a forum for researchers, clinicians, and innovators to examine what the science does — and does not yet — tell us about the relationship between metabolism and Alzheimer’s disease.

The Conference will take place at the Irvine Marriott (18000 Von Karman) on September 25 2026. We will not be offering a virtual viewing option this year.

  • Educational conference open to the public – all are welcome to register

  • Sponsorship opportunities are available

  • CEUs can be added onto your registration for in-person attendees

Register

The Organizers

UCI MIND

UCI MIND is one of 37 congressionally designated Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers in the nation and the only center in Orange County. For more than 30 years, UCI MIND has served at the forefront of Alzheimer’s disease research, gaining international recognition for its scientific and accomplishments.
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Alzheimer’s OC

Alzheimer’s Orange County is dedicated to providing quality care and support services to the thousands of residents of Orange County who are affected by Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, and also partnering with local researchers to populate clinical trials to help find a cure.
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Alzheimer’s Association

The Alzheimer’s Association Orange County Chapter helps families, caregivers, health care professionals, and those living with the disease by providing education and support, advocating for the needs and rights of those facing Alzheimer’s disease and all other dementia, and advancing critical research to develop new treatments and, ultimately, a cure.
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Who Should Attend

Healthcare Providers
Senior/Social Service Providers
Researchers
Students
People living with dementia and their families

Prices

Early Bird

$ 100

pre 9/25/25

Regular

$ 125

after 9/24/25

Student

$ 75

bring student ID

CEU's

$ 30

in-person only

Speakers

Jim McAleer

Alzheimer's Orange County

Jim is the CEO and president of Alzheimer’s Orange County and Healthy Aging Center: Acacia. Additionally, he mentors and leads an Executive Team comprised of highly qualified and industry-experienced individuals, in developing and implementing the agency’s strategic plan.

Deborah Levy

Alzheimer's Association Orange County Chapter

Deborah Levy is an award-winning television news journalist and nonprofit executive with a broad and diverse background leading some of the world’s most recognizable and respected charities. She has raised more than $100 million during the course of her career for organizations that improve the lives of children and families, cancer research, and important capital projects. Deborah joined the Alzheimer's Association as executive director for Orange County in April 2021.

Joshua Grill, PhD

University of California, Irvine

Joshua Grill, PhD is a Professor of Psychiatry & Human Behavior and Neurobiology & Behavior at UCI. He serves as Director of UCI MIND, Associate Director of the UCI Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, and Leader of the Recruitment & Retention Unit for the UCI Institute for Clinical and Translational Science. His research focuses on clinical trials across the spectrum of Alzheimer’s disease, and he has published a number of important findings on trial design, recruitment and retention, and research ethics.

Renaud La Joie, PhD

University of California, San Francisco

Heather Wilkins, PhD

University of Kansas Medical Center

Puja Agarwal, PhD

Rush University

Katrine Whiteson, PhD

University of California, Irvine

Jill K. Morris, PhD

Kansas University Medical Center

Mark Mapstone, PhD

University of California, Irvine

Alireza Atri, MD, PhD

Banner Health