Dr. Jeffrey Burns is a nationally and internationally recognized leader in Alzheimer’s disease research. As Co-Director of the KU Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (KU ADRC) and Director of the Memory Care Clinic, Dr. Burns has played a transformative role in elevating KU’s research profile while driving forward the understanding and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.

A prolific scholar, Dr. Burns has authored more than 190 peer-reviewed publications and led numerous groundbreaking clinical trials. His research focuses on lifestyle interventions and the metabolic aspects of Alzheimer’s disease, an area in which he is regarded as a national expert. According to one letter of support, “Dr. Burns is unquestionably one of the country’s foremost authorities on Alzheimer’s disease prevention,” with a body of work that has shaped national strategies for research and care.

Dr. Burns' leadership was instrumental in securing the NIH-funded P30 grant that established the KU ADRC—now one of only 33 federally designated Alzheimer’s centers nationwide. His peers note that he has “positioned KU as a national thought leader in cognitive aging research,” and that “his innovative work has not only advanced our understanding of dementia but has informed national recruitment and research participation strategies through NIH committees and advisory roles.”

Beyond his research achievements, Dr. Burns is a dedicated educator and mentor. He has supported the development of over 100 clinical research protocols across nearly all departments at KU Medical Center and has served as a primary mentor for numerous junior faculty and postdoctoral fellows. He is the recipient of the KUMC Excellence in Mentoring Award and the Chancellors Club Research Award—honors that underscore his dual commitment to scientific excellence and the cultivation of future leaders in medicine.

His reach also extends beyond academia. Dr. Burns has delivered hundreds of community lectures aimed at increasing awareness, encouraging prevention, and expanding participation in dementia-related research. His integrative approach to scholarship, mentorship, and public engagement exemplifies the mission of the University and the broader goals of the Alzheimer’s research community.

Dr. Debra Sullivan is a nationally recognized leader in clinical nutrition and dietetics education, recently named a University Distinguished Professor at the University of Kansas Medical Center. Over nearly three decades at KU Medical Center, Dr. Sullivan has made transformative contributions to research, teaching, mentoring, and program development within the Department of Dietetics and Nutrition, where she has served as chair since 2005.

A prolific researcher and educator, Dr. Sullivan has secured over $8 million in NIH and other federal funding as principal investigator and has collaborated on projects totaling over $30 million. Her research has focused on dietary assessment, obesity prevention, Alzheimer’s disease, and the role of diet in chronic disease management. She has authored or co-authored more than 145 peer-reviewed publications and served as an NIH and USDA study section reviewer—testament to her national standing in the field.

Under her leadership, the department has launched four innovative academic programs, including a PhD in Medical Nutrition Science and one of only three Doctor of Clinical Nutrition (DCN) programs in the country. As one supporter noted, “Dr. Sullivan is the architect of some of the most forward-thinking nutrition education initiatives in the U.S.”

Dr. Sullivan is also a deeply committed mentor, having guided the work of numerous NIH-funded junior faculty and more than 130 master’s and doctoral students—many of whom now hold faculty or leadership positions in academia and healthcare. Her influence extends throughout the KU Medical Center, where she has collaborated across departments and centers, and served on numerous high-level committees, including the Cancer Center, the Alzheimer’s Disease Center, and the Executive Committee for Rural Health.

Widely described as collaborative, visionary, and generous with her expertise, Dr. Sullivan exemplifies the highest standards of scholarship and institutional citizenship. Her work has earned her awards for mentoring, teaching, and service, including the Kansas Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics Distinguished Dietitian of the Year and the KUMC Investigator Research Award.

Dr. Russell Swerdlow is an internationally acclaimed physician-scientist whose groundbreaking research on brain energy metabolism has shaped modern understanding of Alzheimer’s disease and related neurodegenerative disorders. Dr. Swerdlow directs the KU Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (KU ADRC), a prestigious NIH-designated center, and the Heartland Center for Mitochondrial Medicine.

Renowned for proposing the “Mitochondrial Cascade Hypothesis,” Dr. Swerdlow was the first to explore the therapeutic use of ketone bodies for Alzheimer’s treatment—a novel concept that has since become foundational in the field. With more than 240 peer-reviewed publications and a consistent record of federal research funding, his work has significantly advanced both the scientific and clinical landscapes of neurodegeneration.

His peers across the country recognize his transformative influence. One letter of support noted, “Dr. Swerdlow’s work is central to how we understand the mitochondrial contribution to aging and Alzheimer’s. He is a true thought leader.” Another described him as “a visionary in translational neuroscience whose scholarship continues to influence national and international research priorities.”

In addition to his research, Dr. Swerdlow has played a critical role in building research infrastructure at KU Medical Center and mentoring a new generation of clinician-scientists. He has served on numerous national advisory boards and review panels, including for the NIH, the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation, and the BrightFocus Foundation. His leadership has made the KU ADRC a model for other centers nationwide.

Dr. Swerdlow’s many accolades include the Chancellor’s Club Research Award, the University Scholarly Achievement Award, the Higuchi-KU Endowment Research Achievement Award, and the Oskar Fischer Prize. Through his relentless pursuit of discovery and commitment to mentoring, he continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in Alzheimer’s research.