Bill Gates visited Indianapolis Tuesday to learn about IU School of Medicine’s ongoing research on Alzheimer's disease.
The Microsoft co-founder and billionaire philanthropist met with faculty members and researchers during his visit. The School of Medicine’s Dean Dr. Jay L. Hess said the visit pointed to the quality of the research being done.
“Bill’s interest in our institution is recognition of the leading stature of our program, and the urgency of the work we are doing,” Hess said in a release.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, nearly 7 million Americans live with Alzheimer’s. The association says the disease is the fifth most common cause of death for people 65 and older.
More than 100 faculty members research Alzheimer’s and related dementias at the School of Medicine. Recent research demonstrates the potential for a blood test to screen for Alzheimer’s.
School of Medicine Executive Associate Dean for Research Affairs Tatiana Foroud said the scope of research brought Gates.
“Bill and his team asked to visit IU because of the breadth of Alzheimer’s research we have here,” she said in a release. “Here at IU School of Medicine we’ve got it all — the total package.”
Read more: IU med school receives $50 million grant for Alzheimer's research