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Matt Farrer, PhD

Professor, Director of Neurogenetics
Mayo Clinic

Jacksonville, Florida

Matthew Farrer received his doctorate degree at St Mary's Hospital Medical School, Imperial College London, UK, in the genetics of complex traits specializing on neurological disorders. His research lab now seeks to identify molecular causes of Parkinson's disease, to create genetic models of parkinsonism and to develop novel therapeutic treatments to halt disease progression. As a geneticist, Dr. Farrer’s work at Mayo Clinic led to the discovery of multiplication mutations in alpha-synuclein (SNCA) and mutations in leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2), now the major genetic cause of Parkinson's disease.

Dr. Farrer has published more than 180 peer-reviewed articles in genetics and molecular neuroscience. He currently serves on the Editorial Board of Neurobiology of Disease, and on the Scientific Advisory Boards of The Michael J. Fox Foundation and Elan Pharmaceuticals. His research is supported by several active support grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIA, NINDS and NIEHS), among other foundations.