Cary teen wins national scholarship for Alzheimer's research and awareness efforts

Key Points:

• Kenna Zhang, a Cary teenager and recent Cary Academy graduate, won first place in the Alzheimer's Foundation of America's 2026 Teen Alzheimer's Awareness Scholarship Contest, earning a $5,000 college scholarship for her video submission.
• Motivated by her grandmother's late-stage Alzheimer's diagnosis, Zhang conducted independent research projects using artificial intelligence to improve early detection and diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease.
• Her research addressed AI biases, enhanced diagnostic tools for rural clinics, and combined multiple medical data types into machine-learning models, gaining recognition at the International Science and Engineering Fair.
• The Alzheimer's Foundation praised Zhang as a young leader in Alzheimer's advocacy and innovation, highlighting her commitment to raising awareness and advancing scientific breakthroughs.
• Zhang plans to continue her research at MIT, focusing on improving early Alzheimer's detection and expanding access to screening, especially in underserved communities, driven by her personal experience and desire to help others.