Hilal A. Lashuel

Professor Hilal A. Lashuel is an Associate Professor of Neuroscience at the École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), where he directs the Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration within the Brain Mind Institute of the School of Life Sciences. His research focuses on applying chemical biology approaches to elucidate mechanisms of protein misfolding and aggregation in neurodegenerative diseases.

Dr. Lashuel received his B.Sc. in chemistry from the City University of New York (1994) and completed his doctoral studies at Texas A&M University and the Scripps Research Institute (2000). After postdoctoral work at Harvard Medical School, he joined EPFL in 2005. He has also served as a visiting professor at Stanford University and as Executive Director of Qatar Biomedical Research.

His laboratory specializes in alpha-synuclein research, huntingtin protein studies, and developing novel tools for monitoring protein aggregation in Parkinson's disease. The research integrates chemical biology, structural biology, and translational approaches to develop mechanism-based therapies and diagnostics for neurodegenerative conditions.

His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on protein aggregation mechanisms, structural characterization of amyloid fibrils, biomarker development, and novel therapeutic strategies targeting alpha-synuclein pathology. His work shows particular emphasis on post-translational modifications, protein polymorphism, and cross-seeding phenomena in neurodegenerative diseases.

• Young Global Leader (2012) - World Economic Forum
• Kuwait Prize in Fundamental Sciences (2018)
• ERC Starting Grant (2009-2014)
• Human Frontiers Science Program Young Investigator Award (2009-2012)
• Michael J. Fox Foundation Award (2009)

Professor Lashuel mentors numerous PhD students, postdoctoral fellows, and undergraduate researchers. His laboratory participates in multiple international consortia focused on developing biomarkers and assays for Parkinson's disease diagnosis and monitoring. The lab receives funding from Swiss National Science Foundation, European Commission, Michael J. Fox Foundation, and industry partners including AC Immune, UCB Pharma, and Novartis.

The Lashuel lab maintains active collaborations with institutions worldwide and participates in several international consortia including the Alpha-Synuclein Assay Standardization LEAPS and the ABL pathway Biomarkers Consortium.