Dr. Haakon Nygaard, Fipke Professor in Alzheimer’s Research and director of UBC Hospital Clinic for Alzheimer Disease and Related Disorders (CARD), is working towards a finding a cure and prevention for Alzheimer’s. Learn more about his work at UBC here

Where did you grow up?
Oslo, Norway. I moved to the US for college and medical school, but apart from my wife and kids, my whole family still lives in Oslo.

How long have you worked at VCH?
I moved to Vancouver in 2014, and it is a wonderful place to live and work. VCH employs an extraordinary group of health care professionals and I have very much enjoyed working in this environment.

Why are you so passionate about working with people with Alzheimer’s and dementia?
One of the most challenging aspects of my clinical work is coming to terms with the current reality that we do not yet have effective medications for Alzheimer’s and other dementias. It is hard to overstate the impact an effective therapy would have on our patients and their families, and this is a major driving force for those of us who work in this field.

How do you spend your down time?
We have two amazing boys aged three and five, and I try to spend as much time with them as possible. Skiing, biking and tennis are top activities.

Who or what inspires you?
There are many sources of inspiration. From a professional standpoint, the collective drive of the worldwide scientific community trying to solve Alzheimer’s and other dementias is very inspiring. The dedication to the cause is extraordinary.

Learn more about our latest initiatives in  Brain Health