Mark Tarnopolsky

Dr. Mark Tarnopolsky is a Professor and Division Head of Neuromuscular and Neurometabolic Disorders in the Department of Pediatrics at McMaster University's Faculty of Health Sciences. He holds a Chair in Neuromuscular Disorders from McMaster Children's Hospital/Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation since 2010 and has been with McMaster University since accepting a faculty position in 1996.

Dr. Tarnopolsky completed a PhD in Cell Biology and Metabolism in 2001, followed by five years of training in Internal Medicine, Neurology and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at McMaster University and the University of Rochester in New York.

His primary research focuses on mitochondrial disease, muscle disorders (particularly muscular dystrophy), and other neurometabolic disorders. His laboratory publishes approximately 25 papers per year examining mitochondrial and muscle function in patients, aging, and animal models of pediatric and adult neuromuscular conditions. He leads clinical research on therapies for mitochondrial cytopathies, with additional work on Duchenne muscular dystrophy, Friedreich's ataxia, and Pompe disease.

Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on mitochondrial function across various disease states, with significant work on creatine supplementation, exercise physiology, and novel therapeutic approaches for neuromuscular disorders. His research spans basic science investigations through to clinical trials.

Dr. Tarnopolsky maintains an active clinical practice in neuromuscular and neurometabolic disease while directing a productive research laboratory. His work has been featured in prominent publications including Time magazine, and he has led research on topics such as how regular cycling can improve mobility in patients with myotonic dystrophy.