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Valerie Sim is an Associate Professor in the Department of Neurology at the University of Alberta, specializing in the study of rapidly progressive dementias caused by protein misfolding. She leads a research team focused on understanding the pathogenesis of prion diseases, which include bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), chronic wasting disease (CWD), and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD). Her research investigates how normal prion protein (PrP) misfolds into a higher beta-sheet state, resulting in neurodegeneration characterized by symptoms such as dementia, ataxia, and visual hallucinations. In recent years, she has published significant works on the mass spectrometry analysis of pathogenic prion proteins and contributed to advancements in understanding prion strain deposition and its toxicity. Her dedication to uncovering the mechanisms behind these fatal diseases underscores her prominence in the field of neurology, particularly in the context of prion research. Valerie is also involved in developing potential therapeutic strategies to combat these illnesses.
University of Alberta • Edmonton, AB, Canada
Faculty member specializing in neurology and prion diseases.
Department: Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Management