University of Kentucky researcher and internationally recognized Alzheimer’s disease expert Linda Van Eldik, Ph.D., has received one of the field’s highest honors, the Khalid Iqbal Lifetime Achievement Award in Alzheimer’s Disease Research.
Van Eldik, director of the University of Kentucky’s Sanders-Brown Center on Aging and a professor in the UK College of Medicine, received the award during the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference July 12 in London. The award recognizes scientists whose careers have fundamentally advanced the understanding, prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
For more than four decades, Van Eldik has been a leading voice in neurodegenerative disease research, helping shape the scientific understanding of how inflammation in the brain contributes to Alzheimer’s disease and identifying potential therapeutic approaches to slow its progression.
“To be recognized by my peers with the Khalid Iqbal Lifetime Achievement Award is truly humbling,” said Van Eldik. “This honor reflects the incredible collaborations and dedication of so many colleagues, trainees and researchers I’ve had the privilege of working with throughout my career. While we’ve made tremendous progress in understanding Alzheimer’s disease, there is still much work ahead, and I remain inspired by the collective commitment to improving the lives of patients and families affected by dementia.”
Under Van Eldik’s leadership, Sanders-Brown has strengthened its reputation as one of the world’s premier centers for aging and dementia research. The center, one of the nation’s original 10 Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers funded by the National Institute on Aging, is internationally recognized for its contributions to understanding the biology of aging and dementia.
“Dr. Van Eldik has led our Alzheimer’s and dementia research with integrity, creativity and compassion,” said Ilhem Messaoudi, Ph.D., UK acting vice president for research. “This award is well-deserved for a lifetime of work, from fundamental discoveries to treatment targets and clinical trials that have brought hope for Kentucky families. We are honored to have Linda’s leadership at the University of Kentucky and the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging.”
A pioneer in the field of neuroinflammation, Van Eldik’s research has focused on understanding how inflammatory responses in the brain contribute to neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease and traumatic brain injury. Her discoveries have helped establish neuroinflammation as a key target for potential treatments and have influenced research efforts around the world.
Throughout her career, she has authored hundreds of scientific publications, secured continuous federal research funding and mentored numerous students, postdoctoral fellows and early-career investigators who now hold leadership positions across academia and industry.
Van Eldik joined the University of Kentucky in 2010 as director of Sanders-Brown. Since then, she has overseen significant growth in the center’s research programs, expanded interdisciplinary collaborations and championed community engagement efforts that connect scientific discoveries to the people most affected by Alzheimer’s disease.
“Dr. Van Eldik’s dedication to advancing scientific discovery, mentoring future researchers and expanding the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging’s impact is helping pave the way toward solutions for patients and families facing Alzheimer's and related diseases,” said UK College of Medicine Dean Charles “Chipper” Griffith, M.D. “We are proud to celebrate this well-earned recognition of her lifetime contributions to science, education and the advancement of care for Kentuckians.”
The Khalid Iqbal Lifetime Achievement Award is named in honor of a world-renowned neuroscientist whose groundbreaking work on tau pathology has advanced understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying Alzheimer’s disease. The award is presented to individuals whose lifetime contributions have had a profound and lasting impact on the field.
For Van Eldik, the recognition represents both a milestone and a reminder of the urgency of the work that remains.
“Every scientific advance brings us one step closer to better treatments and, ultimately, prevention,” she said. “I remain optimistic because of the remarkable researchers, clinicians and community partners working together to change the future of Alzheimer’s disease.”
As the global prevalence of dementia continues to rise, Van Eldik’s work and leadership have helped position the University of Kentucky and Sanders-Brown at the forefront of efforts to understand, treat and ultimately prevent Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.