Britto Nathan, professor and assistant chair of the biological sciences department, will address different aspects of biochemistry and Alzheimer’s Disease and how they play a role in people’s everyday during a speech Wednesday.

The talk is set for 5 p.m. in the Booth Library.

Kyrsten Holderby, president of Eastern’s chapter of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, said the group chose to put on this talk

because of Nathan’s research on the disease, and because November is Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month.

This presentation is the first one hosted by the registered student organization.

Holderby said the group plans to focus on and research the biochemistry of other diseases in the future.

“We’re trying to do a lot of different things to engage with students on campus and people in the community, too,” Holderby said.

Biochemistry professor Gopal Periyannan said the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology is for students who are interested in learning about biochemistry and its impacts beyond the classroom.

“There are set times nationally for diabetes, obesity, stroke and other disease, and when those times come our students will be ready to explain those diseases,” Periyannan said. “This month it is Alzheimer’s.”

Holderby said this presentation will benefit people by educating them on the different statistics of Alzheimer’s and how much it impacts people.

The presentation will also show the different research currently being done on Alzheimer’s Disease outside of Eastern.

Holderby said her interest on the subject came from wanting to study medicine and seeing Alzheimer’s patients while working at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center and St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital.

“I see patients with Alzheimer’s and the toll it takes on them and their families,” Holderby said. “So, I want to be a part of finding a cure and find better treatment.”

Holderby said the presentation is open to the public and should take about 45 minutes. There will be 15 minutes afterward for questions from the audience.

AJ Fournier can be reached at 581-2812 or ajfournier@eiu.edu.