Mary McMenamin

Mary McMenamin is a Departmental Lecturer in the Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics (DPAG) at the University of Oxford, where she has been a member of Professor Matthew Wood's research group since joining the department in 1994 and attaining her current position in 2007. Her work focuses on gene therapy approaches for degenerative nervous system disorders within this internationally recognized department ranked #1 globally for Anatomy & Physiology.

Her primary research centers on blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity in health and disease, utilizing Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) mouse models to investigate cognitive dysfunction mechanisms and develop neurotherapeutic delivery strategies. Earlier work pioneered viral vector development for brain gene delivery targeting Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases, with significant contributions to understanding immune responses to viral vectors and their neurological applications. Current efforts address the critical challenge of systemic therapeutic delivery across the BBB for neurodegenerative conditions.

Analysis of her 2013-2017 publications reveals consistent focus on neurological disease mechanisms, particularly BBB pathology, autoimmune neurological disorders, and innovative gene therapy approaches. The research spans neuropathology, neuroimmunology, and translational neuroscience, with methodological strengths in animal modeling, vector development, and pathological analysis of neurological tissues.

Dr. McMenamin operates within Professor Matthew Wood's research group in Oxford's Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, contributing to the department's 49 research groups and 6 thematic areas. This environment supports her investigation of BBB-related mechanisms in neurodegeneration using advanced molecular and cellular techniques within a world-leading neuroscience institution.