Marco Blom, Netherlands
Marco Blom graduated from the Radboud University Nijmegen, Netherlands in 1987 with an MSc in Psychogerontology. After working in a regional mental health institute for elderly people and at the National Institute of Care and Welfare, he joined Alzheimer Nederland in 1997. He worked in several positions within Alzheimer Nederland and was involved in setting up and implementing the Alzheimer Cafés, the development of the academic Alzheimer Centres and the start of an online platform for family caregivers. He had the opportunity to act as interim CEO from February 2017 until September 2018. Currently he is scientific director and also head of National Services. Mr Blom is one of the speakers in Plenary 2, on 24 October.
Marjolein de Vugt, Netherlands
Marjolein de Vugt is a Professor of Psychosocial Innovations in dementia. Trained as a neuropsychologist, she works as a clinical researcher and as a clinician in the memory clinic of the Maastricht University Medical Center+ (MUMC+). She is co-director of the Alzheimer Center Limburg and is also a board member of the European network on research into early detection and timely intervention in dementia (INTERDEM). Prof. De Vugt will deliver the keynote lecture at the conference opening ceremony on 23 October.
Emma Ferguson-Coleman, United Kingdom
Dr Emma Ferguson-Coleman is a Deaf research associate within the Social Research with Deaf People (SORD) group at the University of Manchester, UK. Emma has been a researcher with Deaf sign language users with dementia and their carers for just over 9 years. Emma’s PhD explored the everyday experiences of Deaf BSL users living with dementia with their care partners, and also explored the Deaf community’s knowledge and understanding of dementia. Dr Ferguson-Coleman is one of the speakers in Plenary 2, on 24 October.
Sebastian Köhler, Netherlands
Sebastian Köhler is an associated professor at the School for Mental Health and Neuroscience at Maastricht University and a senior researcher at the Alzheimer Centrum Limburg at Maastricht UMC+, where he leads the Neuroepidemiology research group. His work centres on risk and prevention of dementia. He is a co-Primary Investigator (co-PI) of the Maastricht Ageing Study and a management board member of The Maastricht Study. Dr Köhler is one of the speakers in Plenary 4, on 25 October.
Julie Meerveld, Netherlands
Julie Meerveld is the manager of Regional Support and Advocacy at Alzheimer Nederland. She is responsible for advocacy, the national volunteer organisation and the campaign Samen Dementievriendelijk (Together Dementia Friendly). On behalf of Alzheimer Nederland, she was the initiator of the first National Dementia Programme and the first national Dementia Care Standard. Ms Meerveld is one of the speakers in Plenary 3, on 25 October.
Mohammed Akhlak Rauf, United Kingdom
Mohammed Akhlak Rauf is the Founder & Director of Meri Yaadain CiC, a community interest company that aims to support Black Asian Minority Ethnic (BAME) people living with dementia, as well as their supporters. Mr Rauf has 20 years of experience working with BAME communities, with regard to engagement and access to information and services. He is a PhD student, and has received an MBE in recognition of his efforts. Mr Rauf is one of the speakers in Plenary 3, on 25 October.