Journal announces UK's Donna Wilcock as new editor-in-chief

The Alzheimer’s Association welcomes the University of Kentucky’s Donna M. Wilcock, Ph.D., as the new editor-in-chief of Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association.

Since its inception in 2005, Alzheimer’s & Dementia has sought to bridge the knowledge gaps that separate traditional fields of dementia research by rapidly disseminating new findings and acting as a forum for articles covering clinical investigations and basic, social and behavioral research. Based on the number of citations, the journal is ranked fourth out of 212 in clinical neurology journals, and first in specialized topic journals.

“We strongly believe that Donna Wilcock will not only honor the status and legacy of this flagship journal but will continue its advances with her own unique vision and expertise,” said Harry Johns, Alzheimer’s Association CEO. “At the same time, we thank Zaven Khachaturian for his deep dedication and leadership as the founding editor-in-chief of Alzheimer’s & Dementia, making A&D the highly respected neurology journal it is today.”

Wilcock is the Robert P. and Mildred A. Moores Endowed Chair in Alzheimer’s Disease at the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging and professor in the Department of Physiology at the University of Kentucky. She is assistant dean of biomedicine in the College of Medicine, and serves as the Biomarker Core director for the University of Kentucky Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center.

Wilcock’s research is focused on vascular cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID), a common cause of dementia and frequent co-morbidity with Alzheimer’s disease pathology. She is performing translational research on VCID, ranging from studying molecular mechanisms through identification of novel biomarkers in patients.

As editor-in-chief, Wilcock will, among other things:

• Maintain the highest level of quality in publications from researchers around the world and in all types/fields of research.

• Identify and solicit submissions from emerging areas of importance in the field.

• Ensure that attention is paid to principles of diversity, inclusion, access and equity in all journal-related activities and relationships.

• Take full advantage of current and new technologies.

• Create a dedicated section for cutting-edge basic science research.

“I am grateful for the recognition and responsibility of this new position, and I plan to build on the stellar work done by the Khachaturians to establish Alzheimer’s & Dementia as the premier journal for our field. My new editorial board will reflect the desire for a more geographically, ethnically and racially diverse dementia field. New sections in the journal will be dedicated to key areas of investigation including biomarkers, neuropathology, basic and translational science, and clinical trials,” said Wilcock.

“As one of the leading journals in this space, addressing a disease with such broad and devastating impact, we have an obligation to ensure that we publish only the best quality, thorough and accurate scientific research. I will work with our board and reviewers to make sure all work published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia is seen as first-rate research that is rigorous and reproducible. A major goal is to further increase the visibility and impact of Alzheimer’s & Dementia,” Wilcock said.

“Mentoring is a passion of mine. Opportunities to develop conversations with first and senior authors of published research articles through social media and webinars will enable the journal to facilitate networking and mentoring,” Wilcock added.

According to the search committee, Wilcock was selected based on her strong scientific background, experience in publishing, scientific integrity and commitment to diverse, equitable and inclusive representation in editorial boards.

Wilcock received her bachelor’s degree in pharmacology from Cardiff University. She obtained her doctorate at the University of South Florida, and completed postdoctoral training at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Duke University. Her work is funded by the National Institute on Aging and the National Institute on Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Her research is focused on inflammatory and angiogenic processes, as well as studying the influence VCID has on the progression and severity of Alzheimer's disease.