Julia Leach

Background

About Julia Leach

I’m a biomedical engineer by training, with my doctorate and post-doctorate research focused on cognitive and functional decline in the aging population. I’ve been in the neurodegenerative aging space for 14 years. I made the shift from academic research to industry-funded, translational science after my post-doctorate fellowship and have spent the past six years driving the translational research of medical device start-ups – specifically those aimed at delivering non-invasive, sensory-based, neuromodulatory therapies to older adults enduring neurodegenerative disease – most notably, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. My commitment to neurodegenerative research is personal. I have first-hand experience losing a loved one to Alzheimer’s disease. It’s a vicious beast, breaking the heart of not only the individual suffering, but of all those around her who love, then lose her. My grandmother – the women who sparked my love for science at a very early age – who showed me that women belong in science, a microbiologist herself – and the individual who galvanized my entry into the space decades later. Well, she fought the courageous battle and lost. What I’ve learned over the years is nearly everyone knows someone who’s been through this, if not themselves. There are no words for this. So that is why I do what I do. I’ve dedicated my career thus far to the research and development of innovative, non-invasive, and non-pharmacological therapies targeting the unmet clinical needs of those enduring neurodegeneration. These needs are vast and debilitating. I’ll be pleased if I can help drive advancement in this space because increasing quality of life meanwhile decreasing patient burden is of the utmost importance. At Cognito Therapeutics, I get to do just this. I’ve been a part of the Cognito team for two and a half years, serving as Director of Translational Research. It’s been a privilege to join the core team that built this company from the ground up, founded on groundbreaking discoveries by MIT scientists. In Translational, we focus on advancing the science required to optimize, personalize, and further refine Cognito's potentially disease-modifying therapeutic approach to treat Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative disorders. I have increased hope as treatment options evolve, expand, and become far more attainable and patient-centric, prioritizing daily function and life quality over other, less meaningful outcomes. To positively impact quality of life for those enduring the direct or indirect consequences of neurodegeneration would be such a thing.