معرفی
Associate Professor Rachel Tan is an academic affiliated with the University of Sydney's School of Medical Sciences (Neuroscience), and a member of The Centre for Drug Discovery Innovation and the Brain and Mind Centre. Her research focuses on neurodegenerative diseases including dementia, motor neuron disease, and nervous system disorders, with an emphasis on pathogenesis, translational research, and proteinopathies like TDP-43 and tauopathies. She has contributed to over 50 peer-reviewed publications since 2012, exploring topics such as ALS-FTD clinical-pathologic overlaps, biomarker development, and therapeutic strategies. Her work frequently involves post-mortem neuropathological studies and correlates clinical phenotypes with molecular pathology.
Education and Affiliations
- University of Sydney - School of Medical Sciences
- Affiliated with Brain and Mind Centre and Centre for Drug Discovery Innovation
Research Interests
- Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and ALS clinical-pathologic subtypes
- TDP-43 and tau protein aggregation mechanisms
- Neurodegenerative disease biomarkers
- Neuropathological classification systems
- Motor neuron disease therapeutics
Recent Article Trends
Her 2023-2024 work emphasizes ALS drug efficacy evaluations (e.g., riluzole effects), survival biomarkers (p62 spinal cord burden), and dementia policy in the Western Pacific region. Earlier studies (2017-2019) revealed insights into dual pathologies (Lewy body coexistence with ALS/FTD) and genetic heritability in PPA-ALS subtypes. Translational research includes CuATSM copper compound trials and cerebellar atrophy meta-analyses.
Grants and Funding
- FightMND Mid-Career Research Fellowship (2023)
- Motor Neurone Disease Research Institute of Australia grants (2023, 2019)
- NHMRC Dementia Research Fellowships (2015)
Labs/Teams
Collaborates with multidisciplinary teams at the Brain and Mind Centre, focusing on neurodegenerative disease mechanisms and precision medicine initiatives targeting TDP-43 pathobiology.
