After obtaining postgraduate degrees in microbiology and molecular genetics, Dr. Steven Wagner started his career studying Alzheimer’s disease at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies. As a member of the team that identified amyloid precursor protein (APP), which has a pivotal role in the pathology of Alzheimer’s disease, he established his importance in the field of research early in his career. An extremely warm individual who made those around him feel special, Dr. Wagner was genuine in his personal goal: to find a cure for Alzheimer’s disease. “When it came to actually translating scientific research into new therapies that might help patients or even end Alzheimer’s disease, once and for all, Steve was second to none,” said his friend and colleague, Dr. Rudy Tanzi. Dr. Tanzi continued, “In 2000, Steve and I co-founded a company to develop a drug that is now one of the field’s greatest hopes for stopping Alzheimer’s disease. When we finally beat Alzheimer’s disease, Steve will have played a major role.”