About Us
The Alzheimer’s Alliance is a designated Center in the College of Human Medicine at Michigan State University. The Center is built upon Michigan State University faculty united by interests in Alzheimer’s research. The mission of the Alzheimer’s Alliance is research leading to the prevention, treatment and cure of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. The Alliance’s goal is to bring together laboratory and clinical researchers from throughout the West Michigan region to increase overall research activity.
Through the Alliance, practitioners from local health care systems, and non-profit organizations have united with researchers to find innovative means of improving the diagnosis, treatment and care of individuals living with dementia.
The present activities of the Alliance include:
- Facilitating exchange of ideas among Alzheimer's research faculty at Michigan State University
- Increasing interactions between Alzheimer's practitioners and researchers
- Sharing the latest information regarding Alzheimer's research and treatments with the general public
- Encouraging more clinical research activity in West Michigan

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David Morgan, PhD
David Morgan, PhD
Director of the Alzheimer's Alliance and MSU Foundation Professor of Translational Neuroscience, Michigan State University
(616) 234-2846
morga294@msu.eduLearn more about David Morgan, PhD
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Timothy Collier, PhD
Timothy Collier, PhD
Professor of Translational Neuroscience, Michigan State University
(616) 234-0953
timothy.collier@hc.msu.edu -
Benjamin Combs, PhD
Benjamin Combs, PhD
Research Assistant Professor of Translational Neuroscience, Michigan State University
(616) 234-0955
combsben@msu.edu -
Scott Counts, PhD
Scott Counts, PhD
Associate Professor of Translational Neuroscience, Michigan State University
(616) 234-0997
scott.counts@hc.msu.edu -
Kevin Foley, MD
Kevin Foley, MD
Medical Director, Mercy Health Hauenstein Neuroscience Center Alzheimer's Disease and Memory Disorders Program, and Associate Professor and Director of Geriatrics, Michigan State University
(517) 884-0446
kevin.foley@hc.msu.eduLearn about Kevin Foley, MD at Mercy Health
Learn about Kevin Foley, MD at MSU -
Marcia Gordon, PhD
Marcia Gordon, PhD
Professor of Translational Neuroscience, Michigan State University
(616) 234-2837
Marcia.gordon@hc.msu.edu -
Nicholas Kanaan, PhD
Nicholas Kanaan, PhD
Associate Professor of Translational Neuroscience, Michigan State University
(616) 234-0956
Nicholas.kanaan@hc.msu.edu -
Timothy Thoits, MD
Timothy Thoits, MD
Neurologist, Spectrum Health Medical Group, and Clinical Associate Professor of Neurosciences, Michigan State University
(616) 957-4090
timothy.thoits@spectrumhealth.org -
Irving Vega, PhD
Irving Vega, PhD
Associate Professor of Translational Neuroscience, Michigan State University
(616) 234-2828
irving.vega@hc.msu.edu -
Yannick Marchalant, PhD
Yannick Marchalant, PhD
Experimental Faculty, Central Michigan University
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Rebecca Davis, PhD RN
Rebecca Davis, PhD RN
Professor, Grand Valley State University Kirkhof College of Nursing
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Lisa Misenhimer, MSW
Lisa Misenhimer, MSW
Director of Rethinking Dementia: Accelerating Change
(616) 247-9630
lisa.misenhimer@rethinkingdementiami.org