Gareth Miles

Prof Gareth Brian Miles is a Professor of Neuroscience at the University of St Andrews, affiliated with the School of Psychology and Neuroscience. His research focuses on understanding the neural control of movement, particularly motor systems of the brainstem and spinal cord, with applications to neurodegenerative diseases like Motor Neuron Disease (MND). His lab studies ion channels, neuronal networks, and synaptic physiology in both healthy and diseased states.

Research Interests: His work spans from molecular mechanisms to network dynamics, emphasizing the role of astrocytes, cholinergic pathways, and synaptic dysfunction in motor disorders. Key areas include ALS, dystonia, and the modulation of spinal circuits by glial-derived signaling molecules like adenosine.

Selected Achievements: Miles has received the 7th International Paulo Gontijo Award in Medicine (2015) and a teaching award for dissertation supervision (2010). His lab has pioneered techniques like super-resolution microscopy and biointegrated microlasers for studying neural networks and contractility in live tissues.

Lab & Collaborations: The lab collaborates on projects involving human iPSC-derived models of ALS, spinal cholinergic interneurons, and optogenetic tools. Current PhD students include Jui-Yi Chen, Alyssa Corbett, Ahmad Jibai, and Struan Nisbet. Miles directs the Institute of Behavioural and Neural Sciences and holds roles in interdisciplinary research centers.