Andrew B. Singleton

Andrew B. Singleton is a distinguished British neurogeneticist currently serving as the Director of the Center for Alzheimer's and Related Dementias (CARD) at the National Institute on Aging (NIA), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). He previously served as Chief of the Laboratory of Neurogenetics from 2006 to 2020 and was named an NIH Distinguished Investigator in 2017.

Dr. Singleton's educational background includes:

• A first class degree in Applied Physiology from Sunderland University
• A PhD in neuroscience from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, where he studied the genetics of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias at the Medical Research Council Neurochemical Pathology Unit

Internationally recognized for his groundbreaking research in neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Parkinson's disease, Dr. Singleton discovered a triplication mutation of the alpha-synuclein gene causing early-onset Parkinson's and identified LRRK2 gene mutations as causes of both familial and sporadic Parkinson's disease. His laboratory has since identified more than 90 common genetic risk factors for Parkinson's disease, publishing over 700 scientific articles throughout his career. His research integrates genetic, molecular, and clinical approaches to unravel disease mechanisms.

Dr. Singleton has received numerous prestigious awards for his contributions, including the Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences (2024) and election as Fellow of the Royal Society (2025). His publication record shows consistent focus on Parkinson's disease genetics, with recent work expanding into consumer genomics and broader applications of genetic research.

His significant honors include:

• Boehringer Mannheim Research Award (2005)
• Multiple NIH Directors Awards (2008, 2016)
• NIH Distinguished Investigator (2017)
• American Academy of Neurology Movement Disorders Award for Lifetime Achievement (2017)
• NIA Directors Award for Mentoring (2019)
• Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences (2024)
• Fellow of the Royal Society (2025)

Dr. Singleton demonstrates exceptional commitment to scientific service, serving on editorial boards of Brain, Lancet Neurology, and npj Parkinson's Disease. His NIA Directors Award for Mentoring in 2019 reflects his dedication to training the next generation of researchers. He also contributes to the Lewy Body Dementia Association as a member of their Scientific Advisory Board.

As Director of CARD, Dr. Singleton leads a multidisciplinary team focused on advancing research into Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, building on his extensive expertise in neurodegenerative disorders and continuing to shape the future of genetic research in neurology.