Thank you from Zack

Posted by on 26 February 2026

I am writing to express my deepest gratitude for awarding me the 2026 HOPE Foundation Research on Ageing Scholarship. This generous support is a tremendous honour and will directly enable me to advance my research in pharmacometric modelling of treatments for Alzheimer’s disease.

Alzheimer’s disease is not merely a medical condition; it is a thief of memory, dignity, and connection. I have witnessed the shadow it casts over patients and the struggle of families as loved ones lose their most precious memories. Currently, over 55 million people worldwide live with dementia, with Alzheimer’s disease accounting for nearly 70% of these cases. As highlighted by the Dementia Forecasting Collaborators, this number is expected to triple by 2050, presenting one of the most pressing public health challenges of our generation.

Under the guidance of my supervisors, my project focuses on developing advanced pharmacometric models to analyse emerging monoclonal antibody therapies, such as donanemab. While offering hope, these therapies present substantial challenges regarding cost and variability in treatment effect. A critical question we face is whether these drugs offer only temporary symptomatic relief, or if they provide a permanent disease-modifying effect. Through advanced modelling, we aim to resolve this uncertainty. Our goal is to optimize treatment for each individual, maximizing clinical benefits while minimizing unnecessary costs and side effects.

Specifically, this scholarship will allow me to:

1. Devote myself fully to this research without the distraction of financial stress.
2. Attend prestigious international conferences to present our findings and receive critical feedback, while collaborating with leading scholars and clinicians in the field to enhance the reliability of our research.
3. Publish our findings in high-impact journals, increasing the visibility and reach of this work.

Thank you for investing in meaningful science and for your trust in the next generation of researchers. True to the name of the HOPE Foundation, let us work together to bring hope to those facing the challenges of aging, building a future where growing older does not have to mean losing oneself.