Technical Advisory Committee

Dementia research and brain health The Alzheimer’s Innovation Institute Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) is made up of health care professionals and researchers with significant knowledge and expertise related to dementia research and brain health. An invaluable resource in the further development of new program materials, the TAC also provides input and guidance regarding proposed existing program changes.

Stephen J. Kiraly, MD, FRCPC Jade Cartwright is a senior speech-language pathologist and lecturer within the School of Psychology and Speech Pathology at Curtin University, in Perth, Western Australia. She is currently completing her doctoral studies in the area of primary progressive aphasia through the University of Western Australia. Jade’s clinical and research interests are in the areas of dementia, aphasia, quality of life and rehabilitation. She is a strong advocate for communication-based services in residential aged care. Through her teaching and research she is committed to educating and preparing a future workforce to meet the needs of Australia’s ageing population and to build capacity in aged care services. She is currently working with a team of academics at Curtin University to develop and evaluate a suite of online inter-professional education dementia workshops for health science students. Jade is regularly invited to join working parties and present to professional groups on communication and quality of life issues in dementia care. She provides active service to her profession as a past-councillor of Speech Pathology Australia and current member of the Western Australian Branch Executive. Jade maintains a private practice, specialising in the assessment and management of people living with dementia in the community. She has a strong commitment to supporting her clients to remain socially engaged and active, equipping them with personalised communication strategies and resources to build confidence and foster positive coping strategies.

Dr. Dolly Dastoor Dr. Dolly Dastoor was born in Bombay and received her B.A. and M.A. from Bombay University. She went to Nigeria in 1964 and worked as a WHO Research Fellow at the University College Hospital in Ibadan, Nigeria. In 1973 she immigrated to Canada with her family and joined the Douglas Hospital as a Clinical Psychologist. At present she is the Clinical-administrative manager of the Program in Dementia and specializes in assessment of dementias. She is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and in the Centre of Aging, McGill University and Clinical Supervisor in the Department of Psychology, Universities of Concordia, of McGill, and Montreal. She has a Ph.D in Clinical Psychology from Concordia University in Montreal. She is active in teaching, research, and in clinical work. She was the Divisional Chair, Canadian Association on Gerontology, and at present is Secretary/Treasurer, Aging Division Canadian Psychological Association. She has extensively published and lectured on the subject of Alzheimer Disease and was the 1990 recipient of the Roberts Award of Douglas Hospital for outstanding achievement. Dolly Dastoor was the founder President of the Alzheimer Society of Montreal (1986-91) and is an honorary Life member of the Board. Dolly was the President of Zonta International, Montreal Club, 1982-85, and Governor of District 2, 2002-2004, an International service organization of executives in business and profession. She served as the International Chair of the Status Women Committee 1989-1992 and attended the UN Commission on the Status of Women, in Vienna.

Stephen J. Kiraly, MD, FRCPC Dr. Kiraly lives on Bowen Island and is interested in mental health services for older adults in rural and remote communities. As a clinician, he works both in private practice and as a consultant in Vancouver Coastal Health, Coast Garibaldi region (Bowen Island, Squamish and with the West Community Health team in West Vancouver). As an educator, Dr. Kiraly holds an academic position as Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry and teaches medical students at UBC. Dr. Kiraly has a special interest in neuropsychiatry and neuro-endocrinology – specifically, the effects of stress hormones on the brain. He developed The Healthy Brain Program, which he presented at the 2007 BCPGA Conference in Victoria, along with the Sea to Sky Older Adult Mental Health Team. We would like to congratulate Dr. Kiraly on the recent publication of his book, Your Healthy Brain, which is the culmination of many years of work. The book describes the “eight pillars of brain health” and is a practical guide for everyone – laypersons and professionals. With its focus on healthy lifestyle maintenance and disease prevention, Your Healthy Brain is an informative addition to anyone’s health reference library.

Dr. Olga Lymperopoulo Olga Lymperopoulou is a neuropsychologist specialized in ageing and dementia. She received her BA in Psychology from the University of Athens, Greece and her MSc in Cognitive Neuropsychology from the University of Essex, UK. Since 2002, she has devoted herself to working with demented patients and their families. Through these years she has been involved in a diverse range of activities and settings, including cooperation with the biggest private, governmental and non-governmental organizations engaging in the field of dementia in Greece, which have provided her with a very broad knowledge and understanding of dementia diagnosis, prevention and treatment. Olga is the General Secretary (and founding member) of the Athens Association of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders. At present, she works at the Memory Clinic - Neurodegenerative Diseases Department of Hygeia Hospital, which is one of the largest private hospital units in the country. As an educator, Olga is responsible for a 6-month training program on dementia provided by the Psychological and Cognitive Assessment Center, a private educational organization offering training to psychologists and other healthcare professionals.

She has participated in more than 10 clinical trials on dementia and in various European Commission projects on the use of Information and Communications Technology in dementia care. Olga has a special interest in non-pharmacological dementia interventions and specifically, in designing cognitive training programs for elderly with Mild Cognitive Impairment and patients suffering from mild to moderate Alzheimer’s Disease. Additionally, she is passionate about keeping brains and minds active and teaches healthy ageing strategies as a means of dementia prevention to cognitively intact elderly. olgalympero@gmail.com