The Rainwater Charitable Foundation (RCF) is proud to present the 2026 Rainwater Prize for Innovative Early-Career Scientist to Marc Aurel Busche, M.D., Ph.D., of the University of Basel and the UK Dementia Research Institute at University College London.

The Rainwater Prize, established by the RCF in 2018 following Richard E. Rainwater’s diagnosis with a primary tauopathy, honors scientific advancements in neurodegenerative disease research and supports early career scientists whose work brings us closer to treatments, and ultimately, a cure for primary tauopathies like progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), corticobasal degeneration (CBD), and frontotemporal dementia (FTD).

Dr. Busche is a Professor of Dementia and Neurodegenerative Diseases at the University of Basel and Programme Leader at the UK Dementia Research Institute at University College London. His groundbreaking research focuses on soluble oligomeric tau species — small, toxic clusters of the tau protein that remain mobile in the brain— particularly high molecular weight (HMW) tau. This work is helping to clarify how tau disrupts neural circuits in dementia and may unlock previously unexplored targets and therapeutic strategies beyond traditional drug discovery pathways.

Dr. Busche and his team have shown that soluble tau species can drive substantial neuronal dysfunction independent of, and preceding, structural neurodegeneration. This discovery suggests that clinical symptoms in primary tauopathies result not only from irreversible neuronal loss but also from (potentially reversible) neuronal dysfunction driven by soluble tau.

Emphasizing the translational significance of this work, Dr. Busche notes, “I’m first and foremost a clinician, and I want to see an impact in clinical practice.”  Together, these findings highlight a possible therapeutic window in which targeted interventions may prevent or delay irreversible neuronal loss, potentially transforming how primary tauopathies are treated and improving patient outcomes.

Dr. Busche is an active leader in the field and a dedicated mentor to the next generation of scientists. He has mentored over twenty trainees and fosters interdisciplinary collaborations across leading institutions. He was recently appointed to Switzerland’s first professorship specifically dedicated to dementia and is currently responsible for establishing a new research department for neurodegenerative diseases.

Jeremy Smith, President of the RCF, stated that, “Richard Rainwater believed deeply in supporting bold, innovative science that could meaningfully change the lives of patients and families affected by neurodegenerative disease. Dr. Busche’s work certainly embodies that vision by pushing beyond traditional approaches to uncover new, clinically actionable insights into tau-related dementia.”

We are thrilled to honor Dr. Busche with the 2026 Rainwater Prize for Innovative Early-Career Scientist and look forward to the continued impact of his work on the field.

Interested in exploring the RCF’s previous prize awardees and their cutting-edge research?
Visit the Rainwater Prize to learn more.