REACH is at the forefront of Alzheimer’s research and community engagement, working to improve outcomes for underserved populations. Through partnerships with leading institutions, including Wake Forest University, and under the leadership of Dr. Goldie Byrd, REACH integrates scientific discovery with real-world impact—connecting individuals to education, support, and opportunities to participate in clinical research.
Dr. Goldie S. Byrd, Ph.D., is a nationally recognized leader in Alzheimer’s disease research, health equity, and academic leadership. She is a professor of social sciences and health policy, former director of the Maya Angelou Center for Health Equity at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, and a lead co–principal investigator of the DAWN Alzheimer’s Disease Research Study, supported by a $46 million National Institute on Aging grant. Her research focuses on the genetics of Alzheimer’s disease in people of African descent and increasing the inclusion of African Americans and other underrepresented populations in research and clinical trials.
Dr. Byrd previously served as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Chair of Biology, and an endowed distinguished professor at North Carolina A&T State University, where she founded the Center for Outreach in Alzheimer’s Aging and Community Health (COAACH). She earned two bachelor’s degrees from NCAT and a Ph.D. in microbiology from Meharry Medical College, achieving several historic firsts as a female academic leader at NCAT.
Dr. Byrd has received numerous awards for her leadership, research, and service, including the Leadership-North Carolina Stanley Frank Leadership Award and the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring, which was received at a White House ceremony. Most recently, Governor Roy Cooper recognized her as a Health Equity Champion for the State. She has served on panels, ad hoc groups, and advisory boards for the National Academy of Science, the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, the Alzheimer’s Association, the North Carolina Biotechnology Center, and the Executive Committee for the North Carolina Institute of Medicine. She recently received 2024 Bengt Winblad Lifetime Achievement from the Alzheimer’s Associations International Conference and was chosen as one of the Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD), 2023.
A large-scale international research effort building one of the most comprehensive genetic resources for Alzheimer’s disease to advance understanding, improve diagnosis, and support the development of new treatments.
News, research highlights, and events from REACH and the communities we serve.
Wake Forest study seeks answers on why Alzheimer’s hits minority groups harder
A study at Wake Forest University could help get critical answers about Alzheimer’s and genetics, including why data says Hispanics…
Dr. Goldie Byrd, at Wake Forest University School of Medicine will lead community-engaged research, outreach, recruitment, and retention efforts of a $46 million grant.
Dr. Goldie Byrd, Principle Investigator for the DAWN Alzheimer’s Research Project at Wake Forest University School of Medicine will lead…
Alzheimer’s Clinical Trials in Need of More Black Participants
Studies show Black Americans are impacted twice as much as white Americans when it comes to Alzheimer’s disease. The number…
Dr. Byrd One Of Most Influential People of African Descent
Dr. Goldie Byrd, Director of the Maya Angelou Center for Health Equity and Professor of Social Sciences and Health Policy…
Immune and Inflammatory Pathways Implicated by Whole Blood Transcriptomic Analysis in a Diverse Ancestry Alzheimer’s Disease Cohort
This study examines gene expression patterns associated with Alzheimer’s disease, identifying key biological pathways that contribute to disease development and progression.
Use of local genetic ancestry to assess TOMM40-523′ and risk for Alzheimer disease
This study examines genetic factors associated with late-onset Alzheimer’s disease, offering new insights into how specific gene variations may influence risk.
Menstrual Type, Pain and Psychological Distress in Adult Women with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD)
This study examines how menstrual symptoms, including PMS, may influence chronic pain experiences in women with sickle cell disease, highlighting important connections between hormonal, biological, and psychological factors.
Novel Alzheimer Disease Risk Loci and Pathways in African American Individuals Using the African Genome Resources Panel: A Meta-analysis
A large-scale genetic analysis reveals new Alzheimer’s disease risk markers and reinforces key biological pathways involved in disease progression, contributing to a growing body of research aimed at improving outcomes.