Anthony Schapira

Professor Anthony Schapira is a leading academic in neurology and clinical neurosciences, affiliated with University College London (UCL) and the UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology. He currently serves as Head of the Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences at UCL while maintaining his professorship at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery and Royal Free London Hospital (since 1990). His career spans over three decades, including prior leadership roles at the same institute.

Schapira’s research focuses on neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Parkinson's disease (PD), with a focus on mitochondrial metabolism, glucocerebrosidase, lysosomal biology, and genotype-microbiome interactions. His groundbreaking work includes the discovery of mitochondrial complex I deficiencies in PD (1989) and glucocerebrosidase dysfunction in PD brains (2012), leading to novel therapeutic approaches like ambroxol chaperone therapy.

He serves as Principal Investigator for multiple high-impact research grants, including the Cure Parkinson’s Consortium (£5.1M) and Michael J Fox Foundation projects. His discoveries have driven Phase II/III clinical trials targeting the glucocerebrosidase pathway.

Scientific Awards:

• Barbara and John Hiseman Award (2022)
• European Academy of Neurology Award (2020)
• Fellow of the European Academy of Neurology (2018)
• Horst Bickl Memorial Award (2013)
• National Institutes of Health Senior Investigator (2012)
• ...and 14 more awards from 2006–1986

The 10 most recent publications demonstrate sustained expertise in mitochondrial function, lysosomal biology, and genetic-environmental interactions in PD, with ongoing exploration of microbiome influences and therapeutic stratification strategies.