Martin Duennwald

Dr. Martin Duennwald is an Associate Professor at Western University's Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology. His research focuses on protein misfolding, cellular protein quality control, and neurodegenerative diseases like Huntington’s, Parkinson’s, and ALS. Using yeast models and mammalian systems, his lab investigates disease mechanisms and therapeutic strategies.

• Education: PhD in Molecular Biology from the University of Cologne, Germany; Dipl. Biologist (Master of Science)

Research interests include the interplay of aging, environmental factors, and genetic mutations in neurodegenerative diseases. Key projects explore Nrf2 regulation, α-synuclein toxicity, and chaperone proteins like Hsp70/Hsp90. Collaborations with institutions such as the University of Toronto and University of Pennsylvania enhance multidisciplinary approaches.

Lab members include PhD candidates (e.g., Donovan MacDonald) and undergraduate volunteers. Former students have contributed to studies on polyglutamine toxicity, Keap1 aggregation, and ALS biomarkers. The lab’s work is supported by grants targeting protein quality control and therapeutic development.

Labs/Teams: The Duennwald Lab at Western University’s Medical Sciences Building focuses on translational research bridging basic science and clinical applications.