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Our Advisory Committee is a very strategic committee that consists of extremely important and influential individuals – in the business world, in entertainment, in the political arena, etc. – who we can turn to for support and advice and who will help promote our efforts to accelerate a cure for Alzheimer's disease, each individual according to their capabilities.
This committee is constantly growing and additional names will be announced as they are added. Those of you who may want to be considered for this committee, please submit your requests and all your contact information to: info@alzcure.org
Dr. Gilbert M. Rishton (PhD)
Dr. Rishton is the Director of the Channel Islands Alzheimer's Institute, located at the California State University, Channel Islands campus. He has held this position since 2005 and is also an Adjunct Professor at the University (since 2004). He is the Founder of the Channel Islands Alzheimer's Insititute which is comprised of chemists and biologists focused on Alzheimer’s disease drug discovery formed as a California State University Academic Center. Small molecule drug discovery via supercritical fluid extraction and chemical conditioning of natural materials to produce novel drug leads addressing targets for neurodegeneration and neuroregeneration, http://www.csuci.edu/alzheimer/index.htm.
He is also an Organic chemistry lecturer and a Capstone laboratory project advisor. Dr. Rishton was the Founder and Director of the "Alzheimer's Initiative", a non-profit organization for Alzheimer's disease drug discovery, specializing in small molecule drug discover via supercritical fluid extraction and chemical conditioning of natural materials.
For nearly a decade (1995-2004), Dr. Rishton was employed at AMGEN and was a part of the Small Molecule Drug Discovery Group. During that time, Dr. Rishton held various positions. He was responsible for much of the initiation of small molecule drug discovery activity in Thousand Oaks, including the development of relations and collaborations with the various biology groups, biological target selection, chemistry and medicinal chemistry program start-up. He sourced, recruited, and hired over 50 organic and medicinal chemists from the best academic and Pharma groups and was directly involved with medicinal chemistry initiation and management of several drug discovery programs toward various target classes including NPY, CTLA4, EPO mimetics, nuclear receptors, IKK, and γ- and β-secretase for Alzheimer’s disease. He managed five direct reports and a total of about 12 including their reports.
As chemistry manager for the Calcimimetics CRPT (Sensipar Team), he coordinated chemistry support for Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacology, Toxicology, Pharmaceutics, Manufacturing, and Clinical Groups during an effort to identify AMG 073•HCl (Cinacalcet) (Sensipar), their clinical drug candidate for hyperparathyroidism. Dr. Rishton participated in completed in all phases from initiation to completion of clinical trials, NDA submission, and launch; April 2004. Wrote the chemistry sections of CMC for the IND. He maintained and improved relationships with their outside collaborators and contractors, including KIRIN Pharma, NPS Pharmaceuticals, Sumika Fine Chemical, ChemSyn, MonomerChem, and Oread.
At TANABE Research Laboratories, where he was employed between 1991-1995, he was the Senior Research Scientist for Medicinal Chemistry. He applied his knowledge in medicinal chemistry toward peptidomimetic cell adhesion inhibitors (fibronectin and ICAM mediated) as potential anti-inflammatory agents for the treatment of arthritis and asthma and spearheaded drug discovery employing the biological mechanism-based approach of peptidomimetic chemistry. He developed small molecule, non-peptide Arg-Gly-Asp mimetics, and ultimately receptor specific inhibitors of cell adhesion at TRL. Dr. Rishton is the author of many scientific papers - way too many to list here - and was the Recipient of the 1983 URI Holmes Scholar Athlete Award (Chemistry/Varsity Football).
The Honorable Gregory Schadone
Representative Greg Schadone is one of the more recent additions to our Advisory Committee. Greg Schadone is an Attorney and has been elected for several terms as a State Representative in Rhode Island for many years.
Greg is a member the American Bar Association, the Rhode Island Bar Association, the Amerian Trial Lawyers Association, the Rhode Island Trial Lawyers Association, the Justinian Law Society, The Rotary Club, Big Brothers of Rhode Island and the Italo-American Club. We are particularly honored to have him amongst us.
LOUIS A. MARCIANO
PAST DISTRICT 7950 GOVERNOR 1991-1992 for the Rotary Club
Lou was born in Providence, Rhode Island and attended public schools. He was graduated from Mount Pleasant High School. He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from the Arnold College division of Bridgeport University, in Connecticut, in 1950. He earned a Master of Education degree in School Administration from Rhode Island College in 1960. He also earned Certificates of Merit in National Science Grants from Brown University, Wilkes University and the Universities of Indiana and West Virginia. He served in the United States Navy for three years during World War II and was a Petty Officer first class. He was on shipboard for more than two years in the Pacific theater. His ship had just left Okinawa when the Japanese surrendered, August 14,1945.
He was a teacher; administrator and athletic coach in the Providence school system. At Mount Pleasant High School he was head of the Science Department, head wrestling coach and assistant Varsity football coach of 12 years. His wrestling teams won five state championships, and compiled a record of 75% victories. His 1961 team was the first public school to win the New England Championships. In 1979 he was inducted into the Rhode Island Wrestling Hall of Fame, and in 2001 he was inducted into the New England Secondary School Hall of Fame.
Lou served as a system wide Providence school Health administrator from 1969 to 1978. He was then appointed by the Governor of Rhode Island to be Chief of Health Promotion at the Rhode Island Department of Health until his retirement in 1986. He then founded his own consulting firm: Consulting Associates. In June 1985 he became the first recipient of the annual award of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, THE HORACE OGEN MEDAL. His citation read in part: “…for extraordinary contribution to the health of the people of Rhode Island and the Nation”.
He was invited to be a Rotarian in 1972, and was inducted on February 23, the anniversary of the founding of Rotary in 1905. He served as club president in 1981, and in 1991 was elected District 7950 Governor. His district covered all 66 clubs in Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts. In 1997 he became the second district recipient of the Rotary International Service above Self award.
Lou was selected to be a member of the Rotary Legislative Council which met in New Delhi India, in January 1998. While there he and his wife Gloria administered Polio Vaccine during a National Immunization day. It was at that time that he initiated steps to found the RAJENDERA K. SABOO ENDOWMENT fund. It began with a modest $1,020 collected in India, and today exceeds $515,000. Dividends from this account fund Rotary Peace Scholars with a two year scholarship.
He served for three years as the first District 7950 Trainer, and served for three years as a Trainer of Trainers in Zone 31 and 32. He and his wife Gloria are Paul Harris Fellows and Benefactors of the Foundation. Lou has more than 38 years of perfect attendance in the Rotary Club of North Providence.
In 1998 he was presented the Soccer Ball award “Kick Polio out of Africa” for his efforts to eradicate Poliomyelitis. During the year 2000 International Convention in Singapore, President Carlo Rivizza presented Lou with the International Regional Award for his efforts to fight Polio in the Far East. In 2003 he received the Rotary Foundation Citation for Meritorious Service.
Lou also served as Zone 31-32 Coordinators for Matching Grants to build 84 shelters in Curitiba, Brazil, and 108 shelters in Honduras following devastating hurricanes. Since the inception of PolioPlus program he has chaired or co-chaired the district effort. His committee collected more than $250,000 during the first two years of the PolioPlus Partners program. Lou then served as Zone Coordinator during the 2003 drive to raise 80 million dollars. Zones 31 and 32 accounted for 8.2 million dollars. He also serves on the National Board of Directors for Hunger Plus, and in 2001 was instrumental in securing a one million dollar matching grant for hunger, with Alan Shawn Feinstein, which resulted in a total of $3.2 million dollars.
In 2002 Lou authored a Zone 31-32 manual of procedures for Hunger Plus. In 2004 President Glenn Estess appointed Lou to be the Assistant Coordinator for the newly formed Task Force on Water. He asked Lou to represent him at the United Nations where he made a presentation before 600 people on the role of Rotary in the water crisis. He served in that capacity for Presidents Stenhammer and Boyd, and is serving as International Advisor for Water Resources for President Wilkinson. President Lee has also reappointed Lou to this position.
Lou continues to serve on District Committees as well as his international commitments. Since 1992 he has been the Liaison person between Rotary District 7950 and the World Scholar Athlete Games. He has represented six International Presidents at District Conferences in the United States. In January 2008 Rotary International announced that Marciano had been selected to receive the Rotary International Foundation Board of Trustees, Distinguished Service Award. This award is presented annually to fewer than fifty Rotarians world wide, and is the highest award of the Foundation.
In 2008 Marciano was invited to write a monthly column for the Federal Hill Gazette. His articles are entitled: I REMEMBER.
Lou states that his greatest achievement is that he married Gloria Petrucci, and fathered two daughters, Deborah and Joanne both of whom have earned Doctorate Degrees in Education, are college professors, and have given him three grand children: Steve, Lisa and Jenna. Lou has recently joined the Advisory Committee of the Alzheimer’s CURE Foundation and we are honored by his presence.
State Deputy of the Knights of Columbus (Rhode Island) Stephen G. Ciolfi
State Deputy Stephen Ciolfi is an active parishioner of St. Phillips Church in Greenville, RI. He has been an esteemed member of the Knights of Columbus for many years and was recently appointed the highest position within the State Council: that of State Deputy.
Mr. Ciolfi has been employed by the Unites States Postal Service for twenty nine (29) consecutive years.
Even though his schedule is very busy, full of responsibilities and commitments, Steve is also a member of the Advisory Board at the RI Chapter of the National Organization for Marriage as well as on the Board of Directors of the McGivney Foundation for Vocations.
We are deeply honored that, despite his overwhelming schedule, State Deputy Ciolfi readily accepted our invitation to become a part of our very prestigious Advisory Committee and look forward to working with him.
Attorney David C. Moretti
Attorney Moretti has had a successful career as a trial lawyer for over 35 years in Rhode Island and is very involved in community service. David is a member of the American Trial Lawyers Association, the RI Trial Lawyers Association, the American Bar Association, the U.S. Supreme Court, the U.S. Military Court of Appeals and the U.S. Tax Court.
He is also a member of many "Bars" throughout the country, including but not limited to the Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania and New York Bar Association.
David is an esteemed member of many clubs, including the Lions, the Rotary, the Cranston Chapter of the Knights of Columbus, St. Mary's, Italo-American Club, Smithfield's Sportsmen Club and the Rhode Island Board of Realtors.
He is a firm believer of "giving back". We are fortunate that he has embraced our cause/mission and are proud to have him amongst us.
David Moretti is a partner of the Moretti and Perlow Law Firm.
Professor/Master Chef George Karousos
Professor George Karousos is the Founder/President of The International Institute of Culinary Arts in Fall River, MA. He is a Master Chef/Professor/Businessman and published author all wrapped in one. Many of his books in the culinary arts have a significant historical value.
Before opening his own restaurants, Master Chef Karousos worked in New York as the Food Editor and columnist for the Hellenic News from 1967 to 1969. He apprenticed at several New York institutions, including the Waldorf Astoria and the Plaza Hotel before being appointed Executive Chef of Hugo's Lighthouse in Cohasset, Massachusetts in 1975.
Five years later George and his late wife, Anna Psarros Karousos, established their first restaurant, the Sea Fare Inn in Portsmouth. This was just the beginning of even greater things to follow.
Master Chef Karousos is the owner of several well-known, upscale restaurants in the Rhode Island/Massachusetts area such as the Sea Fare Inn in Portsmouth, RI, a superbly elegant environment situated in a historic, Victorian mansion and SeaFare's American Cafe, located in Newport's hisoric Brick Marketplace were his first two ventures. In 2000 he opened Georgio's The Steak House in the Trolley Square building located in Fall River, MA. The Abbey Grill and the Great Hall are the main teaching facilities of The International Institute of Culinary Arts. The building where the school is now housed was formerly the First Congregational Church in Fall River's Historic District.
Professor Karousos is the author of The Sea Fare's Culinary Treasures and Regional Amerian Cooking for 8 or 50. The latter was released in April 1993. His third cookbook, The Patissier's Art, was published in the spring of 1994. These are just a few of the cookbooks that he has authored.
His affiliations and memberships include the Honorable Order of the Golden Togue, he is a Founding Member of "DiRoNA" (Distinguished restaurant of North America), Academic de Gastronomie - "Brillat-Savarin", American Academy of Restaurant Sciences, National Restaurant Association American Culinary Federation, Les Amis d'Escoffier Society, International Club of Le Toques Blanches, Society Mutualiste des Cuisiniere de Paris, The Master Chef's Institute of America, Chaine des Rotisseurs, Rhode Island Hospitality Association and last, but not least, International Association of Food Critics.
Master Chef Karouso has been recognized with Distinctions numerous times through the years. The Sea Fare Inn has gained many awards and distinctions for Excellence in Dining. Although his awards are way too numerous to list in full, for many consecutive years the Sea Fare Inn has won the Best of the Best Gold Award for 10 Top Seafood Restaurants in United States.
Professor Karoussos was also amongst the first to support our efforts and to so generously volunteer time from his overwhelmingly hectic schedule by becoming a member of our prestigious Advisory Committee. We are honored to have him amongst us.
Mr. John Cashman, CPA
Mr. Cashman has a long, successful career in accounting and financial planning. He has been a CPA since April, 1985 and a CFP since May, 1987. He holds professional securities licences, Series 6, 7, 63, 66 and 65.
He began his career in Cost Accounting with a private company before moving into the Public Accounting field. He has worked in Public accounting since Dec. 1979. Currently he's employed at Patterson and Gerry CPA's, LLC.
Jack has given interviews to Time magazine, various local/regional newspapers and has appeared on numerous local and national TV stations as an expert in his field. Tom Brokaw is just one of the many well-known TV personalities who has interviewed him.
As a distinguished, highly respected CPA and CFP, he is also a much sought-after presenter and guest speaker at various trade-related seminars, conventions and symposiums, as an expert in his field. His professional memberships include The AICPA, MSCPA and MAPA. He's currently is a RAB (Review Acceptance Board) member in Massachusetts and a technical reviewer for the RAB Board.
His expertise in the area of Accounting and Financial Planning, as well as his devotion and support to our cause, make him an invaluable member of our Advisory Committee.
Mrs. Marlene Morgan
Mrs. Marlene Morgan is one of the newest members of our Advisory Committee. Originally from North Carolina, where she resides today, she lived at a couple of other states in-between. Marlene has an accounting background and has worked for various firms.
Her career began with the 1st National Bank of Winter Haven (in Florida) where she was employed as their Loan Data Clerk. Later, while living in South Carolina, she was employed at The Gaffney Ledger, a position which she credits for numerous opportunities, learning experiences and a wealth of knowledge. Upon her return to North Carolina, a chance meeting with a Pastor from her Mount Pisgah Academy days, landed her a job with the Carolina Conference of Seventh Day Adventist Church as a secretary for their Treasury Department (Accounting Dept.). Shortly thereafter she was promoted to Sr. Accountant and within a short period of time assumed the position of Assistant Treasurer. Today she is Associate Treasurer, Equivalent to the Comptroller in a corporate setting.
Her sister, Kathleen, with whom she is extremely close, is the driving force behind Marlene’s desire to see the cure for Alzheimer’s and other dementias as soon as possible. Kathleen, a Baby-Boomer, has been diagnosed with dementia and we all hope that a successful treatment and cure for Alzheimer's will come about in her lifetime. At the same time, Marlene, like all of us here, wants to see the cure for Alzheimer’s and all dementias accelerated for the many millions of victims – as well as for the generations yet to follow.
We welcome her into our family and know that her presence here - with her hard work, passion and persistence - is going to make a huge difference for our efforts in accelerating the cure for Alzheimer's and other dementias, as well as open the door wide towards a cure for so many other neurodegenerative diseases and neurological disorders.
Marlene is our Marketing, Public Relations and Special Events Coordinator in the Carolinas and beyond.
Mr. Bryan Cahill -
Bryan Cahill is a Sound Mixer, Boom Operator and Writer located in Los Angeles, CA. Bryan’s screen credits include; The Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers, Profiler, Without A Trace, Desperate Housewives, CSI, CSI Miami, CSI New York, Johnny Test, Numbers, The Fast and The Furious, and many others.
Bryan received a B.S. in Radio-Television from San Diego State University, and A.S. in Electrical Engineering from ITT Technical Institute. He also holds an FCC General Class License. Bryan provides support for the Alzheimer’s CURE Foundation with his writing skills and technical expertise as a Volunteer Development Associate. Amongst his other duties, Bryan serves on the Nominating Committee for the Unitarian Universalist Church of Santa Monica.
Bryan is one of our most dedicated and hard-working volunteers and we welcome him as one of the newer members of our very prestigious Advisory Committee.
Mr. Frank J. Luca
Frank has been involved with basketball for 32 years as both a player and a coach. Since graduating from the University of Rhode Island Frank has coached basketball to boys and girls ages 6 through the high school and college level. While coaching for several years in the Catholic Youth Organization Intermediate division, Frank attained two State Titles. After coaching for three years at LaSalle Academy in Providence, RI, Frank was an assistant men’s basketball coach for Tom Sienkiewicz at Roger Williams University. He then coached his sons in the town recreation leagues, where he is currently still coaching and is the Vice President of the Smithfield Youth Basketball Association.
From 2001-2005 Frank was the Head Junior Varsity boy’s coach and Assistant Varsity coach at Scituate High School in Scituate, RI where the boy’s varsity team won the 2005 Div. 3 RI State Championship. Frank is currently a boy’s assistant coach at Smithfield High School.
Frank has coached at, and organized several summer basketball camps. Frank is active in volunteering his time in his community with the Catholic Youth Organization, American Cancer Society, the Alzheimer’s CURE Foundation, Inc. and in alumni events at La Salle Academy.
Frank’s coaching experience, strong business background, and his ability to reach out and work within the community is an asset to the One on One Basketball Program in RI where he holds the position of Area Director.
In the past, Frank was employed for 18 years at CVS and also worked at his father’s store, Luca Music, for 35 years.
Frank is a real asset to our organization and we welcome him amongst us.
Ms. Bernadette Colognne
Bernadette Colognne, an actress, teacher, entrepreneur, and motivator, was born in Puerto Rico and raised in New York City; with more than (20) twenty years experience in the entertainment industry she started her company, FilmSearch, to establish profitable relationships between reputable producers in need of funding and sophisticated investors interested in the film industry.
With over two decades of hands on experience in television and film, Bernadette is well rounded in her knowledge of the industry. Along with her knowledge and experience, Bernadette has extensive contacts in the field, providing an invaluable networking source for her clients.
Her experience includes on screen performances in feature films, a variety of television shows and numerous commercials. Bernadette has also performed in theatre and has extensive training in drama from schools in Los Angeles and New York. In addition to her vast industry experience, Bernadette also has a background in education, earning her Master's degree from Columbia University. The combination of her formal education, drama and entertainment experience, along with her Master's degree, provide a strong foundation for her unique business. Bernadette is an invaluable member of our Advisory Committee.
Mrs. Julieta Castellanos
Mrs. Castellanos was born in Guatemala and has been in the US for 41 years. She is a graduate from SMU with a BA in Psychology-Sociology. Her experience is with a combination bachground of nursing and couseling.
Julie was employed at Sturdy Memorial Hospital in Attleboro, MA, and at Women and Infants Hospital in Providence, RI. She has vast experience in Public Relations and is a certified HIV councelor. She was Vice President of the Guatemalan American Association of Rhode Island. Currently she is an elected official for the Ward 9 Committee in Providence, RI. Mrs. Castellanos has been recently diagnosed with Early Onset Alzheimer's and is passionate about our mission. She wants to help accelerate the cure for Alzheimer's and also to disseminate information to the Hispanic Community who statistically is a very vulnerable, high-risk population for Alzheimer's.
Ms. Anita Heiss
Ms. Heiss is one of the newer additions to our Advisory Committee. She is a Travel Consultant with AAA. Her biography will follow shortly.
Ms. Harriet Butler
Ms. Butler majored in Psychology and specialized in research, including Alzheimer's Disease. Her experience with Alzheimer's is very intense and first-hand as she lost her mother to this gut-wrenching disease. Harriet was her mother's caregivers for the last 10 years of her life and has experienced this treacherous disease in all its ugliness.
Harriet is a passionate supporter of the Alzheimer's CURE Foundation, Inc. and does a lot of community outreach, educating the public around Alzheimer's and volunteering her services to us.
Young Adult and Student Advisory Committee
Emily Sherman
Emily's bio will follow shortly.
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