Sean T Sweeney

Professor Sean T Sweeney is a Professor in Neuroscience at the University of York, Department of Biology. His research focuses on neurodegenerative diseases such as Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), exploring endosomal dysfunction and synaptic signaling in disease progression. He uses Drosophila models and primary neurons to study pathological mechanisms, including oxidative stress and JNK-AP1-mediated apoptosis.

Teaching includes second-year sensory neuroscience lectures and third-year neurodegeneration modules, integrating experimental work with theoretical concepts. He advises MBiol students on Parkinson’s disease projects using Drosophila models to develop independent research skills.

Research collaborations include work with Matthias Landgraf (University of Cambridge) on reactive oxygen species in synapse regulation. He is affiliated with projects funded by BBSRC and MRC, including investigations into insulin receptor signaling, protein complex analysis, and enzymatic substrate scopes.

Recent activities include panel memberships with the Royal Society, Motor Neurone Disease Association, and Irish Research Council. His lab explores therapeutic targets for FTD-ALS by targeting pathological signaling pathways.