I am a Biomedical Engineer by training, and my main research topic is to develop computer based algorithms to detect the earliest changes in brain anatomy that are indicative of the onset of Alzheimer's disease. To do this, I am using magnetic resonance (MR) images of the brain that enable the assessment of brain structure non invasively, such as the image of my own brain uploaded above. I feel that I am very privileged to be able to contribute my engineering and quantitative knowledge to the cause of early detection of the onset of Alzheimer's disease. I am also very fortunate that I do not have a loved grandparent, parent, near relative or close friend who got Alzheimer's.

My main motivation in participating in this event is to take this opportunity to connect with those families that do have someone who got Alzheimer's and better understand the challenges that are faced in the daily care giving for these loved family members. This human dimension of the disease is a very important aspect for everyone to acknowledge, and specially for some one like me conducting research in this area, to better understand.

By fund raising for this worthy cause, I also wish to show my gratitude for the research funding that I have received, in particular from the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research (MSFHR), and from the Pacific Alzheimer Research foundation (PARF). I also wish to acknowledge all my teachers and mentors who have given me the gift of education and guidance. I will be making this trip to the top of Kilimanjaro on behalf of the wonderful team of collaborators, colleagues and students with whom I work towards the goal of developing tools for early and accurate diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease.

To learn more about me and my research, please visit my webpage at http://www.ensc.sfu.ca/~mfbeg.

I am very grateful to you for your support of this fund raising event for the Alzheimer society of British Columbia.