Cohort 
2018

Laura Booi, PhD, MA

Social Gerontologist

We can reduce the negative impact associated with dementia by embracing cognitive diversity through environmental, policy, legal, advocacy and educational endeavours.

Current Work

Laura is a brain health consultant and a Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Dementia Research at Leeds Beckett University in the UK. Her work focuses on brain health equity and the promotion of inclusive policies, creative engagement and unique outputs to support awareness about brain health and improve quality of life across the lifespan- from early adulthood to older age.

Personal Hero

Tanya Talaga

Words of Strength

Outspoken listener

Vision

As a society, Laura believes we can reduce the negative impact associated with dementia by embracing cognitive diversity through environmental, policy, legal, advocacy and educational endeavors — highlighting the importance of those with the lived experience of dementia as the true dementia experts.

Strategy

As an advocate, Laura is the co-founder of an international network—www.wyldementia.org—focused on supporting the next generation of international multidisciplinary dementia leaders. As a researcher, her work focuses post-diagnostic support and engaging marginalized populations in dementia research endeavors.

Impact

As an Atlantic Fellow, Laura has worked alongside brilliant fellows in all seven of the Atlantic Fellows programs. This international breadth has inspired her to take large, globally-focused but locally impactful innovative creative steps in her professional research and advocacy career.

Motivation

Laura's work brings together international dementia advocacy and patient-public-involvement, engaging both the next generation of dementia-focused leaders as well as marginalized, often unheard voices affected by dementia.

Education & Experience

Laura received her doctorate in gerontology from Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, Canada. Laura received her Master of Arts in health psychology from the University of British Columbia. While completing her education Laura has worked as an outspoken advocate for global dementia issues, co-founding the World Young Leaders in Dementia (www.wyldementia.org). Laura joined Newcastle University in the spring of 2020 as a research associate with Professor Dame Louise Robinson, where her work focuses on sustainable models of post-diagnostic support and dementia.

Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, Canada
Gerontology
PhD
University of British Columbia
Health Psychology
Master of Arts

Awards & Honors

Canadian Frailty Network Interdisciplinary Fellowship
Pilot Award for Global Brain Health Leaders
Canadian Association of Gerontology Legacy Fund Award
Mitacs Accelerate Award for Postdoctoral Research
Canadian Association of Gerontology Legacy Fund Award
German Canadian Benevolent Society of British Columbia, Award in Gerontology