Daniel H Geschwind

Daniel H. Geschwind, M.D., Ph.D., is the Gordon and Virginia MacDonald Distinguished Professor of Human Genetics, Neurology and Psychiatry at UCLA. As Senior Associate Dean and Associate Vice Chancellor of Precision Health, he leads the Institute for Precision Health (IPH). His laboratory pioneers systems biology approaches for neurological and psychiatric disorders, with emphasis on autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and neurodegenerative conditions. His work has identified genetic causes of ASD and defined molecular pathology through gene network analysis.

Education

• Dartmouth College: A.B. Chemistry & Psychology (1982)
• Yale University School of Medicine: M.D., Ph.D. Medicine & Neurobiology (1991)
• UCLA School of Medicine: Internal Medicine Internship (1992)
• UCLA School of Medicine: Neurology Residency (1995)
• UCLA School of Medicine: Neurogenetics Fellowship (1997)

Research Focus

Dr. Geschwind's research integrates genomics, transcriptomics, and network biology to elucidate mechanisms in neurodevelopmental disorders and dementia. Key areas include: gene regulatory networks in autism, molecular subtyping of frontotemporal dementia, precision health approaches for neurological disease, and evolutionary genomics of brain development. His work bridges computational biology with experimental validation in cellular and animal models.

Recent publications demonstrate strong emphasis on neurodegenerative proteomics (frontotemporal lobar degeneration, PSP), single-cell genomics in dementia, and neurodevelopmental disorder genetics. Cross-cutting themes include glial pathophysiology, multi-omics integration, and biomarker discovery across disorders.

Scientific Honors

• Elected to National Academy of Medicine & American Academy of Physicians
• NIMH MERIT Award (2006-2015)
• Rhoda and Bernard Sarnat International Prize (2022)
• Gold Medal, Society of Biological Psychiatry (2021)
• Paul G. Allen Distinguished Investigator (2015)

Leadership & Funding

Directs the Geschwind Lab and oversees UCLA precision health initiatives. Secured continuous NIH funding including R01, P50, and U54 grants for autism genetics, dementia research, and brain development studies. Major projects include:

• NIH U54NS123746: Tau haplotype mechanisms in FTD/PSP
• NIH P50HD055784: Autism heterogeneity research program
• Simons Foundation: Enhancer-targeted ASD gene correction
• ARTFL-LEFFTDS Consortium for FTLD research

Leads multidisciplinary teams integrating clinical neurology, genomics, computational biology, and therapeutic development for brain disorders.