Five WorldClass Scientists –
One Exceptional Lab
The Alzheimer’s Legacy Lab continues to grow. Back in 2022, when we began this journey of sponsoring a research lab at the University of Minnesota, our team was dedicated—but small. It consisted of Dr. Liam Chen, who heads the Neuropathology Department (and also teaches and serves on the Medical School’s administrative team), and me.
At the time, Dr. Chen had just shared that the NIH would not be funding his work on the Microbial/Infectious Hypothesis of Alzheimer’s Disease (MAD). Without funding, he explained, I could have my dad’s brain returned.
In that moment, an idea my dad and I had talked about many times before finally came to life: What if I raised the money myself to fund this critical work?
Hundreds of hours—and thousands of dollars—later, we entered into a Sponsored Projects Agreement with none other than the University of Minnesota. This unprecedented agreement holds our feet to the fire. We are contractually obligated to fund the lab until the scientists fully explain the irrefutable overlap between Alzheimer’s disease and periodontal disease.
As we near the end of 2025, we’re excited to share that we now have deep, committed, and highly capable support—both on the lab side and within the CAD Foundation itself.
Take a look at the team that’s making this possible.
Learn More about our PI
Dr. Liam Chen – M.D, PhD. Dr. Liam Chen is a nationally respected neuroscientist and neuropathologist whose work focuses on understanding what causes neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
He is a faculty member at the University of Minnesota, where he leads research exploring the biological mechanisms that drive brain degeneration. Dr. Chen trained at top institutions around the world, earning his medical degree in China, completing a PhD in genetics in Canada, and finishing advanced pathology and neuropathology training at Harvard Medical School.
His research has been published in leading scientific journals, including Nature and the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, and he is also an inventor, holding a patent related to proteins involved in Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative disorders.
In addition to his research, Dr. Chen serves in leadership and mentoring roles within the scientific community, helping guide the next generation of researchers. His experience, global training, and proven track record make him uniquely qualified to lead innovative Alzheimer’s research.
Meet Na Yin, PhD.
Na is an accomplished research scientist with 15 years of extensive experience in translational research focused on neuroscience and oncology. She has expertise in independently leading and executing high-impact research projects within bioscience laboratory environments. She is proficient in a range of advanced techniques including proteomics, genomics, and various biochemical and molecular biological assays. Excellent team player with strong interpersonal communication abilities. Proficient in academic writing and delivering presentations.
Meet Javier Redding-Ochoa, MD.
Dr. Redding-Ochoa is a physician–scientist trained in anatomic pathology with deep expertise in neuropathology and neurodegenerative disease. He earned his medical degree in Mexico City and completed a full residency in anatomic pathology at one of Mexico’s leading national medical institutes.
Since 2019, he has examined more than 500 human brains, developing rare hands-on expertise in neurodegeneration, forensic neuropathology, and brain banking. He completed advanced postdoctoral research training at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in the laboratory of Dr. Juan Troncoso, a nationally recognized leader in neurodegenerative disease research.
At Johns Hopkins, he worked across both clinical and research settings, contributing to multiple collaborative studies from experimental design through publication, and gaining experience running a brain tissue repository—a critical asset for translational Alzheimer’s and neurodegeneration research.
He is also an experienced educator, having delivered lectures to neurology residents, taught medical students in neuropathology workshops, and led specialized forensic pathology training for fellows and international pathologists.
Driven by a commitment to patient-centered science and discovery, his career focus is on neuropathology, neurodegenerative disease, and translational research, with the goal of advancing understanding and treatment of disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease.
