WORCESTER, Mass. — A Worcester State University alumnus was named a recipient of the 2026 Alzheimer Award by the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease for a study examining sex differences in blood-based biomarkers tied to Alzheimer’s disease.
Local researcher recognized at national level
Jacob Labonte, who graduated from Worcester State in 2022 and serves on the university’s Alumni Association Advisory Board, shared the honor with Michael L. Alosco, PhD. The paper, titled “Sex differences on tau, astrocytic, and neurodegenerative plasma biomarkers,” was chosen from roughly 800 articles published in the journal’s 2025 volume. The award carries the Alzheimer Medal and a $7,500 cash prize.
Labonte now works at the Boston University Alzheimer’s Disease and CTE Research Centers as a research program manager. According to the journal, the study was based on blood samples from 567 participants enrolled at the Boston University Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center.
Findings and implications
The research identified distinct sex-related differences in plasma biomarkers associated with tau pathology, neuroinflammation and neuronal injury. Those biomarker distinctions could inform future screening strategies, clinical trial design and targeted approaches to diagnosis and treatment, particularly as blood-based tests are increasingly explored as less-invasive tools for detecting Alzheimer’s-related changes.
- Research subjects: 567 participants from Boston University ADRC
- Focus: sex differences in tau, astrocytic, and neurodegenerative plasma biomarkers
- Award: Alzheimer Medal and $7,500 prize from the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease
"I was honored to receive the award and thanked my co-authors, the National Institute on Aging, Boston University ADRC and research participants," Labonte said in a statement published by the journal.
Why this matters for Worcester and the state
The recognition spotlights the role Worcester State graduates play in advancing neurodegenerative disease research across Massachusetts. Boston-area research centers, local universities and state health agencies have invested in biomarker science as a path to earlier detection and more effective treatments. Work like this can influence how regional clinical trials are structured and which populations are prioritized for enrollment.
Labonte's research also carries personal resonance: the work is dedicated to his grandfather, Michael Cellere, who died in 2025 of early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. The award marks his first publication as first author and underscores the contributions of early-career researchers from Worcester-area institutions to national conversations on Alzheimer’s disease.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Lead author | Jacob Labonte (Worcester State alum, 2022) |
| Co-author | Michael L. Alosco, PhD |
| Participants | 567 (Boston University ADRC) |
| Award | Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease Alzheimer Award (2026) |
| Prize | Alzheimer Medal and $7,500 |
As blood-based biomarkers gain traction, findings that clarify how sex influences those measures could affect diagnosis and care across Worcester County and statewide. For local residents, the award is a reminder that researchers trained in Worcester are contributing to scientific advances with potential statewide public-health impact.
