Mercedes Prudencio

Mercedes Prudencio, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Neuroscience at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, where she also holds the position of Associate Consultant II-Research in the Department of Neuroscience. She leads the RNA Metabolism in Neurodegenerative Disease Laboratory, focusing on TDP-43 proteinopathies such as ALS, FTD, and Alzheimer's disease. Her research integrates human biospecimens, animal models, and molecular biology to uncover disease mechanisms and identify biomarkers.

• University: Mayo Clinic
• School: Department of Neuroscience
• Academic Rank: Associate Professor
• Email: prudencio.mercedes@mayo.edu

Dr. Prudencio's research centers on RNA metabolism, particularly the role of TDP-43 in splicing regulation and the implications of its dysfunction in neurodegeneration. A major focus is the truncated stathmin-2 (tSTMN2) transcript, a promising biomarker for TDP-43 pathology. She also investigates neurofilament light and other biomarkers in conditions like SCA3 and post-COVID-19 neurological outcomes. Her work has strong translational potential, aiming to improve clinical trial design and early diagnosis.

Her recent publications span high-impact journals such as Nature, Science, and Science Translational Medicine, reflecting her leadership in uncovering cryptic splicing events, protein aggregation, and genetic risk factors in neurodegenerative diseases. These studies reveal consistent themes in TDP-43 dysfunction across ALS, FTD, and AD, highlighting shared molecular pathways.

Scientific awards include:

• Women in Science Travel Fund, The Rockefeller University (2020)
• Travel Award, American Neurological Association (2019)
• Outstanding International Student Award, University of Florida (2006–2009)
• Bryan W. Robinson Endowment Award, Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare (2008)

Dr. Prudencio co-leads the Neurological Disease Biorepository and Biomarker Initiative at Mayo Clinic, facilitating collaborative research and grant-funded projects. She is Principal Investigator or Co-PI on multiple grants from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke and the ALS Association, supporting research on TDP-43 targets, stathmin-2, and transcriptome biomarkers. Her laboratory serves as a hub for translational neuroscience, bridging molecular discoveries with clinical applications.

She is actively involved in mentoring and research training, contributing to postdoctoral fellowships and collaborative networks. Her lab fosters interdisciplinary research, integrating genomics, proteomics, and neuropathology to advance understanding of complex neurodegenerative conditions.