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Neurological Foundation of New Zealand Ashleigh is a postdoctoral researcher on the University of Otago’s Dunedin Study, which has been following the lives of 1,037 babies born in 1972 and 1973. Those ‘babies’ donated blood samples at age 45, which Ashleigh is screening for predictors of Alzheimer’s disease. Ashleigh collaborates with three other neuro researchers on the project, including Dr Brigid Ryan from the University of Auckland, who is using the specialist equipment found at the Centre for Brain Research to help analyse blood samples. BLOODTESTING FOR ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE Around 900 blood samples are being screened for early markers of Alzheimer’s disease by Dr Ashleigh Barrett-Young, who received one of our large project grants this year. “Not everyone will want to know if they are going to develop Alzheimer’s, but having that knowledge could be truly life-changing for some people. “I really love it. I’m fascinated by the brain, and I’mhonoured to be doing something that could potentially improve people’s lives.” Dr Ashleigh Barrett-Young Dr Ashleigh Barre“-Young (le–), Research Fellow, Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study, University of Otago with Dr Brigid Ryan, Senior Lecturer and researcher, Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland