Jason Howitt

Professor Jason Howitt is a neurobiologist and Department Chair in the Biomedical, Health and Exercise Science department at Swinburne University's School of Health Sciences. He holds an ORCID identifier (0000-0001-9922-7931) and oversees the Biological Signalling laboratory. His research focuses on neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Parkinson’s, and explores exosome biology, protein trafficking, and neurodevelopmental pathways.

Prof Howitt’s career includes roles at Brookhaven National Laboratory, Imperial College London, and the Florey Institute of Neuroscience. He has led successful NHMRC grants and received accolades such as the NHMRC’s ‘10 of the best’ (2013). His work bridges basic research with translational applications, including exosome-based therapies.

Research interests include:

• Exosome-mediated protein transmission in disease
• Mechanisms of α-synuclein propagation in Parkinson’s
• PTEN regulation in brain development
• NAD+ metabolism and aging
• Ubiquitin ligase pathways in neuroprotection

Professional achievements include:

• Over 40 peer-reviewed publications
• Mentorship of numerous PhD and Honours students
• Leadership in collaborative networks across academia and industry

Current projects emphasize understanding Parkinson’s disease initiation and developing exosome-based diagnostics/therapeutics.