Last summer-nine years after finishing her Ph.D.-Genova published Still Alice, in which she tells the story of a fictional 50-year-old Harvard professor who develops early onset Alzheimer disease. 'That's what I hope to do with my writing, both fiction and non.' 'That's everything right there,' Genova, 37, said of the quote from Sacks's book, which propelled her toward a doctorate in neuroscience. Within the pages of this bestseller she had read as an undergraduate, Lisa Genova found something more profound than a set of intriguing neurological case histories. In examining the person with disease, we gain wisdom about life.'-Oliver Sacks, The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat. Still Alice Book Cover'In examining disease, we gain wisdom about anatomy and physiology and biology. 12, Genova, who resides with her family in Massachusetts, talked to Exhale about books, biology, and being empowered.How would you like to share? Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Prior to her participation at the Boston Speaker Series at Symphony Hall on Oct. Genova is also featured in the Emmy-winning documentary To Not Fade Away, and her TED Talk “What You Can Do to Prevent Alzheimer’s” has been viewed almost 3.5 million times. Today, she travels internationally speaking about Alzheimer’s disease, traumatic brain injury, and autism.

It’s no coincidence that Genova’s work focuses on neurological and brain disorders: She graduated valedictorian from Bates College with a bachelor of science degree in biopsychology and holds a Ph.D. Genova’s latest work, Every Note Played, centers on a concert pianist dealing with a devastating ALS diagnosis. The book, which tells the story of a cognitive psychology professor diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, was turned into a major motion picture that starred Julianne Moore and earned her a Best Actress Oscar. Lisa Genova is the New York Times best-selling author of Inside the O’Briens, Love Anthony, Left Neglected, and, most notably, her debut novel, Still Alice. One for the books: Best-selling author Lisa Genova

Lisa genova