Photo credit: Ben Watts

Nationally recognized Cure Alzheimer’s Fund researchers Dr. Rudy Tanzi and Dr. Sam Gandy add another distinction to their scientific careers as they join rock celebrities Sheryl Crow, Josh Groban, hip hop artist and X-Men Origins: Wolverine co-star Will-i-am, Aerosmith’s Joe Perry; and Seal for a designer menswear photo shoot as a “Rock Star of Science” in the June issue of GQ Magazine, available nationally on May 25, 2009.

The Boston Globe wrote an editorial in support of the Geoffrey Beene/GQ “Rock Stars of Science” campaign.  Click here to read the editorial

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Click here to see the profile on Dr. Tanzi on the “Rock Stars of Science” web site

Click here to see the profile on Dr. Gandy on the “Rock Stars of Science” web site

Cure Alzheimer’s Fund’s Tanzi and Gandy join 9 other leading medical researchers nationwide to turn in their lab coats to be GQ’d for the launch of “Rock Stars of Science” (ROCK S.O.S.), a new public service campaign sponsored by GEOFFREY BEENE GIVES BACK® and GQ Magazine that spotlights the need for greater funding for medical research and works to make science a more attractive career choice for tomorrow’s stars.    

ROCK S.O.S. aims to bridge a serious recognition gap that, according to a recent Harris Interactive survey for Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry, makes Britany Spears more influential than Stephen Hawking among most Americans.  In fact, an earlier survey commissioned by the national organization, Research!America, found that nearly three-fourths of those polled could not name a single living scientist.  

“It’s no secret that science isn’t quite as sexy as rock and roll. Often science and research are so far outside the public conscience and not given the attention in the news they deserve that funding for important medical research is seriously threatened.  It’s time to add a little ‘rock and roll’ to our image to raise our profile,” said Tanzi.

Tanzi, a world-renowned leader in studies of Alzheimer’s disease genetics, has identified and characterized several different AD genes, including the first Alzheimer’s disease gene, the beta-amyloid protein precursor (APP). His recent discovery of four novel genes that may significantly increase the risk of the most common form of late-onset Alzheimer’s was named a Time Magazine “Top Ten Medical Breakthrough of 2008”. Those findings were part of the Cure Alzheimer’s Fund’s “Alzheimer’s Genome Project” (AGP), established three years ago to identify the full set of Alzheimer’s disease genetic risk factors.

Gandy of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York is an internationalexpert in the metabolism of the sticky substance called amyloid that clogs the brain in patients with Alzheimer’s. Gandy and his team are credited with the discovery of the first drugs that could lower formation of amyloid. He has written more than 150 original papers, chapters and reviews on this topic.

“The reality is that the most important medical breakthroughs in Alzheimer’s and other diseases are impossible without broad public support and mainstream recognition,” said Gandy.  “That’s why Rock SOS is so important.  It’s great to see GQ, Geoffrey Beene and these musicians join this important cause. It’s also fun to break the stereotype of a ‘geeky’ researcher and rock out with these stars.”

In addition to showcasing Drs. Tanzi’s and Gandy’s work, ROCK S.O.S. will alsofocus on other scientists and their breakthrough research on diseases like Alzheimer’s, cancer, HIV-AIDS, and heart disease and advances in genetics and personalized medicine.  The campaign will also be supported by a website www.rockstarsofscience.org, to be launched on June 1, 2009.  The site will profile the scientists, their teams and research institutions. Readers will also have the opportunity to sign a declaration calling for more funding for science research, nominate their own Rock Stars of Science, and qualify for limited edition campaign giveaways.  

ROCK S.O.S. is made possible by the designer menswear brand, GEOFFREY BEENEwith a unique business model of corporate giving. One hundred percent of net profits from GEOFFREY BEENE, LLC fund philanthropic causes. Today, the GEOFFREY BEENE Foundation and the GEOFFREY BEENE Brand have supported over $145 million
in charitable commitments to a variety of medical causes including the lead recipient, the GEOFFREY BEENE Cancer Research Center at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.  Additional charitable support goes to its Alzheimer’s Initiative, the GoRed For Women campaign, signature CFDA and YMA Fashion Scholarships, Veterans’ support, protection of animals, and the welfare of women and children, in partnership with Macy’s through the Family Violence Prevention Fund. For more information, contact: www.geoffreybeene.com

GQ Magazine is the leading men’s general-interest magazine with a monthly readership of 6.1 million readers. The magazine is published by Condé Nast Publications. For more information, contact: www.gqconnects.com

Cure Alzheimer’s Fund™ is a 501c3 public charity whose mission is to fund research with the highest probability of slowing, stopping or reversing Alzheimer’s disease. Cure Alzheimer’s Fund is characterized by a venture approach to philanthropy, which targets funding to specific research objectives. All expenses and overhead is paid for by its founders and all contributions go directly to research. The Foundation has no financial or intellectual property interest in the research funded, and will make known the results of all funded research as soon as possible. Cure Alzheimer’s Fund is a national organization with offices in Boston and Pittsburgh. For more information, visit www.curealzfund.org.

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