In memoriam of Dr. Karen Kobayashi
It is with profound sadness and a truly heavy heart that we share the news that dementia researcher and advocate Dr. Karen Kobayashi passed away on May 28, 2022.
Dr. Kobayashi was an esteemed and compassionate researcher, and a professor in the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Victoria. Over the years, Dr. Kobayashi served as a peer reviewer, Scientific Officer, and Co-Chair on our Quality of Life & Care panel for the Alzheimer Society Research Program (ASRP). Her unwavering devotion to social inequality, gerontology and intersectionality will never be forgotten by those who had the privilege of knowing and working with her.
Dr. Kobayashi was also funded through the ASRP as a co-investigator for two grants, most recently, a Proof of Concept Grant, entitled Consent and substitute consent to participate in research: Ethics and legal practice for the meaningful inclusion of Canadians living with dementia, which will continue to be led by her colleague and Principal Investigator, Dr. Amanda Grenier. More information on this critical work is available in the video below.
Dr. Kobayashi played an integral role in advocating and researching the meaningful inclusion of Canadians living with dementia in research. We are truly grateful for the mark Dr. Kobayashi left in the world of gerontological and dementia research and the work that will continue as a result of her inspiring efforts.
Our deepest sympathies go out to the colleagues, friends and family of Dr. Kobayashi and all those coping with this difficult loss.
Sincerely,
The Alzheimer Society of Canada