Michael Payne is a recent retiree living in Los Angeles, California. An engineer by training, he has forty years of experience in the petroleum, chemical, and semiconductor industries. In addition, he worked in MBA Career Management at two major universities. He is a person living with two copies of the ApoE4 variant. His interest in Alzheimer’s research and treatment is very personal. It stems from his time as his father’s primary caregiver following a dementia diagnosis. In 2023 Mr. Payne enthusiastically joined the Alzheimer’s Clinical Trials Consortium (ACTC) Advisory Board after a friend with similar family experience asked him about it. Mr. Payne is currently a participant in the ADNI4 neuroimaging study, which involves using MRI and PET imaging and bloodwork to track early markers of Alzheimer’s progression. He will complete his second round of MRI and PET scans this month. His motivation to participate is rooted in a desire to contribute meaningfully to the research—particularly research that includes ApoE 4/4 individuals. He was fortunate to connect with an investigator at one of the national meetings who valued that perspective and recruited Mr. Payne into the study.
