Professor Michele Hu is a Professor of Clinical Neuroscience and Consultant Neurologist at the University of Oxford's Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, where she also serves as Deputy Head of the Division of Clinical Neurology. She leads the medical Parkinson's disease and movement disorders service at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust, directing one of only seven nationally-accredited atypical Parkinson's disease clinics in the UK. MBBS, University of London (1993) PhD, University of London (2001) FRCP, Royal College of Physicians, London (2009) Her research focuses on understanding the earliest pathological pathways in Parkinson's disease, with particular emphasis on longitudinal cohort studies and biomarker development for early and prodromal stages. She specializes in REM sleep behavior disorder as a prodromal marker and investigates how sleep affects neurodegeneration. Her work integrates neuroimaging, wearable technology, and molecular biomarkers to develop diagnostic and progression markers. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals a strong focus on biomarker discovery (particularly α-synuclein assays), neuroimaging-based subtyping, gut-brain axis interactions, and therapeutic interventions. Her research consistently bridges basic science with clinical applications, emphasizing translational approaches to Parkinson's disease diagnosis and treatment. Professor Hu serves as the NIHR Parkinson's Speciality Lead for the Thames Valley and South Midlands region and chairs the Research Engagement Committee of the UK Parkinson's Excellence Network. She is also Treasurer of the Association of British Neurologists Movement Disorders Special Interest Group. As co-Principal Investigator of the Oxford Parkinson's Disease Centre, she leads a major £10.7 million Parkinson's UK-funded initiative. Her current grant portfolio includes 11 active projects totaling over £8 million, focusing on wearable technology, biomarker validation, and disease-modifying therapies. She supervises multiple Clinical Training Research Fellows and leads international collaborations including the Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI). Her research groups include the Parkinson's and Neurodegeneration Research groups, Computational Neuroscience, Experimental and Clinical Sleep Medicine, and the Oxford Motor Neuron Disease Centre, forming a multidisciplinary hub for neurodegenerative disease research.
