Selina Wray

Professor Selina Wray is a Professor of Molecular Neuroscience in the Department of Neurodegenerative Disease at the UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London. She holds an active position as Alzheimer's Research UK Senior Research Fellow and leads a research group focused on understanding the molecular mechanisms of Alzheimer's disease and frontotemporal dementia using patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cell models.

• PhD, King's College London (2008)
• MSc, University of Nottingham (2004)

Professor Wray's research program centers on cellular and molecular mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases, with particular emphasis on Alzheimer's disease and frontotemporal dementia. Her laboratory utilizes induced pluripotent stem cell technology to create patient-specific models of these conditions, allowing for detailed investigation of disease pathways at the cellular level. Her work spans multiple aspects of neurodegeneration including tau pathology, amyloid-beta processing, neuroinflammation, and cell-type specific contributions to disease progression. She has made significant contributions to understanding how specific genetic mutations lead to familial forms of dementia.

Analysis of Professor Wray's recent publication record (2023-2025) reveals a consistent focus on cellular mechanisms of neurodegeneration, with particular attention to the role of different brain cell types in disease processes. Her work frequently employs advanced stem cell models to investigate Alzheimer's disease mechanisms, biomarker discovery, and potential therapeutic approaches. There is a strong emphasis on understanding the molecular consequences of specific genetic mutations associated with familial dementia.

Professor Wray has received significant recognition for her contributions to dementia research:

• 2018 ARUK David Hague Early Career Investigator of the Year award
• 2014 Red Magazine Woman of the Year award in the Pioneer category

As a principal investigator, Professor Wray leads a research team investigating molecular pathways in neurodegenerative diseases. She has secured substantial funding from Alzheimer's Research UK and participates in multiple collaborative research initiatives. Her work contributes to large-scale stem cell projects and clinical studies aimed at understanding dementia mechanisms and developing new therapeutic approaches. She actively mentors junior researchers and collaborates with clinical scientists to ensure her laboratory findings translate to real-world applications.

Professor Wray's laboratory specializes in developing and utilizing induced pluripotent stem cell models to study neurodegenerative diseases. Her team has established protocols for differentiating these cells into various neuronal and glial cell types relevant to dementia research. The lab maintains strong connections with clinical researchers and participates in longitudinal studies of dementia patients, ensuring their cellular models reflect actual disease pathology observed in humans.