EdDEM Spring 2026 Workshop

Integrating Social & Biomedical Science in Dementia Research – A cross-disciplinary workshop advancing dementia science through collaboration

Description: This two-day workshop brings together social, population health, and biomedical researchers to strengthen interdisciplinary approaches to Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD). Participants will engage with leading scholars, gain hands-on experience with biomarker and imaging methods, and explore how social and environmental factors shape ADRD risk across the life course. The program includes conceptual training, facility tours, and opportunities to build collaborative, grant-ready research networks.

Location: University of Wisconsin-Madison (Directions)

Date: Thursday, May 14, 2026 – Friday, May 15, 2026

Schedule: Link for in-person agenda (overview and detail). Link for Zoom agenda (overview and detail). Basic schedule below:

Day 1 (May 14): Understanding Biomedical Foundations of Dementia Research
Gain insight into biomedical approaches to ADRD, including blood-based biomarkers, imaging, and the investigation of etiological causes of dementia. Engage with leading scholars and observe clinicians and imaging in practice.

Evening Networking Dinner – May 14
An informal opportunity for all participants to connect across disciplines.

Day 2 (May 15): Integrating Social Exposome into Biomedical Dementia Research
Learn how social and environmental exposures across the life course influence ADRD risk. Explore population-based data resources—such as WLS, HRS, MIDUS, and AddHealth—and connect with leading scholars and study investigators advancing research on the social exposome.

Hosted by: EdDem Network

Co-sponsored by: UW–Madison Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (ADRC), UW–Madison Center for Demography of Health and Aging (CDHA), Southern Population Aging Research Center (SPARC)

Presenters: See agenda

For UW Students

Join us for a reception on May 14 (6-8pm at the Pyle Center), and for a special workshop that will showcase a set of rich population-based data sources (WLS, EdSHARe, MIDUS, HRS, AddHealth) for studying how exposures throughout the life course may influence cognitive risk and resilience. The day will also feature flash talks and research roundtables to foster new collaborations.

Friday, May 15, 2026 Schedule

UW–Madison Pyle Center

8:30 am  Breakfast

9:00 am  Opening Remarks

9:15 am  Flash Talks

10:15 am  Break

10:30 am  Longitudinal Studies of Aging Panel (AddHealth, EdSHARe, HRS, MIDUS, WLS)

11:30 am  Lunch & Networking

12:30 pm  Updates from NIH

1:00 pm  Research Brainstorming Roundtables

2:15 pm  Flash Talks

3:30 pm  Closing Remarks