This award was made possible with the support of Guardian Angel Thrift Shops, founded in 1999 and operated in two locations in Central North Carolina by founder, Laura Gaddis, in memory of her mother, Lina Mae.

Lina Mae Edwards and husband, William Levi Edwards. Laura Gaddis saw her mother suffer with Alzheimer’s for 12 years. Nearing the end of her mother’s life, she woke one morning with a plan she quickly put on paper. It would be a non-profit thrift store with the sales funding Alzheimer’s research. She opened a small 1,400 sq. ft. store in Fuquay-Varina, NC which quickly grew into a large 26,000 sq. ft. Super Thrift Shop in four years. Thanks to public support, Guardian Angel Thrift Shop has been able to contribute over $2 million for Alzheimer’s Research in our state.

The goal of these awards will be primarily one of nurturing the early careers of young investigators who have chosen to focus on issues related to dementia and the care and treatment of those with these diseases. Potential awardees must be able to work in tandem with experienced investigators who could serve as mentors for the project. Our goal is to encourage development of new projects, as early career investigators will hopefully build upon these early research endeavors.

Awards granted by Dementia Alliance of North Carolina will go primarily toward the support of dementia research efforts in North Carolina focused on study populations from this state.

2019 Lina Mae Edwards Young Investigator Research Grant Winners

2020 Lina Mae Edwards Young Investigator Research Grant Winners

2021 Lina Mae Edwards Young Investigator Research Grant Winners

2022 Lina Mae Edwards Young Investigator Research Grant Winners