معرفی
Tony Schapira is Professor of Neurological Science at University College London (UCL) and Head of the Department of Clinical Neurosciences at UCL Institute of Neurology. He serves as a Consultant Neurologist at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery and Royal Free Hospital, and holds additional leadership positions as Vice Dean of UCL Medical School and Director of the Royal Free Campus. His academic appointments include Visiting Professorships at Harvard (2009) and Yale (2010).
Education includes:
- Bachelor of Science (Honours) from King's College London (1976)
- Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery from Charing Cross and Westminster Medical School (1979)
- Member of the Royal College of Physicians (1982)
His primary research investigates neurodegeneration mechanisms in Parkinson's disease (PD), with emphasis on mitochondrial dysfunction, alpha-synuclein pathology, and GBA1 mutation pathways. His work spans molecular pathogenesis, drug development for disease modification, and clinical phenotyping of at-risk populations. Current projects focus on identifying prodromal biomarkers and developing neuroprotective therapies through international clinical trials.
Schapira's recent publications (2024-2025) demonstrate concentrated research in Parkinson's disease mechanisms, mitochondrial biology, genetic risk factors (particularly GBA1 variants), and novel therapeutic approaches. Article themes consistently explore protein aggregation pathways, lysosomal function, metabolic interactions, and clinical trial methodologies.
Awards and honors include:
- Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences (1999)
- Undergraduate Scholarship at Westminster Medical School
He has supervised 11 PhD students and one MD candidate, and currently mentors post-graduate and post-doctoral researchers. His department received UCL's 'Excellence in Medical Education' award (2007-2008). Major grants include co-principal investigator roles on:
- MRC-Wellcome Strategic Award in Neurodegeneration (£6 million)
- Wolfson Award (£20 million)
He directs a research department comprising 3 Readers, a Senior Lecturer, technicians, and academic staff, with facilities for biochemistry, molecular biology, tissue culture, and advanced imaging. The team investigates neurodegenerative disorders including Parkinson's, Huntington's, and Friedreich's ataxia.
