Austin Hughes

Austin Hughes is a Researcher at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF), specifically within the Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases (IND) under the School of Medicine. He serves as Research Supervisor in the Laboratory of Stanley Prusiner, M.D., a Nobel Laureate in Medicine. His work focuses on neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, ALS, and prion-related disorders.

Education & Training:

• Harvard University: A.B. in Molecular and Cellular Biology
• UCSF: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Champion Training (May 2021)

Research Focus: Hughes’ research emphasizes understanding mechanisms and biomarkers for neurodegenerative diseases. He collaborates with experts in prion science and translational neurology, contributing to advancements in diagnostics and therapies for conditions like Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

Labs/Teams: Active in the Prusiner Lab, part of UCSF’s IND, which investigates protein misfolding and neurodegenerative pathways. His work intersects with clinical and basic science teams addressing multifaceted neurological challenges.