Name:
Dr Igor Fontana
Job Title:
Director, Scientific Conference Programming
Place of work / study:
Area of Research:
Alzheimer’s and Dementia.
How is your research funded:
Alzheimer’s Association
Tell us a little about yourself:
I started working for the Alzheimer’s Association in May 2023, and I help develop the scientific program of the Alzheimer’s Association suite of conferences. Prior to this role I was a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Karolinska Institutet. My research focusses on the design of novel PET radiopharmaceuticals using short-lived radionuclides. Development of novel radiochemistry methodologies for carbon-11. Development of automated manufacturing processes using FastLab platform. Solid-phase purification and quality control using validated and optimised HPLC methodologies. My PhD was completed at Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself:
I’ve got a tattoo the badge of the football team I support tattooed in my chest.
Why did you choose to work in dementia research?
My grandfather was misdiagnosed and suffered from dementia until his last days.
What single piece of advice would you give to an early career researcher?
Do not close doors. Every opportunity can be life-changing.
What book are you reading right now? Would you recommend it?
Not reading anything right now.
Favourite film of all time?
Gladiator
Favourite ways to unplug and unwind?
Long walks with my dog.