Matt Huentelman
Translational Genomics Research Institute, June 21, 2013
Dr. Matt Huentelman, an associate professor at the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) and the founder and principal scientist behind the online memory test, MindCrowd.org, has been named to the Phoenix Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” class, a prestigious honor recognizing outstanding leaders in Greater Phoenix.
At TGen, Huentelman oversees research programs focused on sensory disorders, age-related illnesses – including Alzheimer’s disease and the genetics of learning and memory. Earlier this year, Huentelman launched “MindCrowd” – a first-of-its-kind online memory test to help better understand human cognition and how it might relate to Alzheimer’s disease and other brain disorders.
To date nearly 8,000 people from more than 100 countries from around the world have taken the test. Researchers will use the test results to build a base of data for further study on how cognition and memory changes as people age.
Eventually, the researchers want to leverage this newly-gained biological insight into therapeutic application — treatment. The hope is for the online test to go viral with friends, families and colleagues challenging one another to take the test and compare the results.
Huentelman’s work stood out among the Phoenix Business Journal judging panel which received more than 300 nominations for the annual recognition program. Huentelman and the other members of the 2013 40 Under 40 class will be recognized June 27 at a networking event at the Phoenix Art Museum. The event runs from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Huentelman is also the co-director of TGen’s Center for Rare Childhood Disorders, which investigates neurologic problems among children, often those that are only a collection of symptoms with no diagnosis.
“I am honored to be selected among the 40 Under 40 by the Phoenix Business Journal,” Huentelman said. “I’m also proud of our MindCrowd program which is helping us build an impressive body of data for further study and analysis.”
MindCrowd is the first research project of its kind, added Huentelman, an expert in genomics as it relates to memory.
The MindCrowd project has two phases: Phase I involves memory testing of 1 million or more study participants. Following an in-depth analysis of Phase I test results, researchers will then solicit a subset of Phase I participants willing to donate a DNA saliva sample and undergo an additional round of online testing.
MindCrowd is a collaborative effort among leading scientific research institutions and organizations including TGen, the University of Arizona, Alzheimer’s Prevention Initiative and others.
Please visit www.mindcrowd.org to take the test.
About TGen
The Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) is a Phoenix, Arizona-based non-profit organization dedicated to conducting groundbreaking research with life changing results. Research at TGen is focused on helping patients with diseases such as cancer, neurological disorders and diabetes. TGen is on the cutting edge of translational research where investigators are able to unravel the genetic components of common and complex diseases. Working with collaborators in the scientific and medical communities, TGen believes it can make a substantial contribution to the efficiency and effectiveness of the translational process. For more information, visit: www.tgen.org.
About MindCrowd
MindCrowd is online research study to understand the genetics of how the human brain remembers. Specifically, MindCrowd researchers want to know how the way people remember things might change as they age. If researchers better understand the way memory changes as people age, they may be able to understand what changes occur in people who have a brain disease that affects their memory (like Alzheimer’s disease). MindCrowd is part of a research study conducted by the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) in Phoenix, Ariz. For more information, visit: www.mindcrowd.org.
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